Unstoppable!

Herne Bay Ladies (1) 3
Foster 35
Holness 54
Chapman 79

Bexhill United Ladies (0) 0

South East Counties Women’s Football League – League Cup Final
Sunday 27th April 2014.
(at Jubilee Field, Three Bridges FC)

The Thoughts of Anthony Deer

(photo credit: Kate Foster forces the first – Photo Julie Hoare)

Today we had our second cup final of the season. The League Cup, our opponents were Bexhill United who have just celebrated winning the SECWFL Premier, the league above ours. On paper, we were the under dogs, but this season we like that tag. Knowing this was going to be a tough match, we made sure that everyone knew their responsibility and role within the team today. They did exactly what was asked of them from the first whistle to the final whistle.

Bexhill had the first ten minutes of the game ensuring that the back four was kept under pressure, however, with the resilience of the defence Herne Bay made it extremely difficult for the opposition. The only real threat from Bexhill was from a free kick outside the box where Breeze Handley made a fantastic save to keep the score level. Bexhill kept coming but were forced into long shots which were dealt with comfortably. Once we settled into the game we started to play some lovely free flowing football and were rewarded 10 minutes from halftime with a well worked goal. Lesley Kay put a pinpoint cross for Kate Foster to control and place the ball past the Bexhill goalkeeper to make it one nil. The half time whistle came at a good time and you could see the belief in the Herne Bay Ladies eyes that this could be possible and an upset was on the cards. As always the ladies listened at half time knowing that Bexhill had to come at them to try and force the victory which in turn would create spaces for our attacking line.

The first 15 minutes Bexhill came at Herne Bay trying to find that elusive goal to get on equal terms, however the always resilient back four or Emma Brown, Rachel Tracy, Beth Nugent and Debbie Blackmore and Breeze Handley in goal ensured that Bexhill had only long range efforts that didn’t threaten the Herne Bay goal. Once Bexhill started to push forward spaces opened up and a clearance fell kindly for Vicky Holness who calmly lobbed the keeper to put a bit of space between the two sides. With 25 minutes in the half to go, a freak injury to Kate Foster forced a substitute and a change in personnel and positions, but within minutes, Harriet Chapman, weaved in and out of a couple of challenges and smashed the ball past the keeper to make it near enough impossible for Bexhill to get back in the game. Bexhill in the final minutes could only manage long range shots that didn’t really test Breeze in the sticks.

The final whistle blew and the knowing that we won our second trophy of the season is unbelievable. These girls have been amazing from front to back all season and have proved to be a force to be reckoned with.

I’m just gutted that they couldn’t win the treble again, however, the achievements they have had in the second season, not just the trophies they have won but the manner they have won them plus the way they have conducted themselves throughout the season and each game with listening to what ive asked they have truly become a team to fear. With the final game of the season next Sunday against Faversham, we can reflect on what has been a tremendous year on and off the pitch.

Squad: Breeze Handley, Emma Brown, Rachel Tracy, Beth Nugent, Debbie Blackmore, Lesley Kay, Kate Foster, Sarah Holmes, Carly Farrow, Vicky Holness, Harriet Chapman, Isabella Tulett, Lauren Wiltshire, Bella Smith, Elizabeth Lehan

Player of Match: Beth Nugent