Bay Top League

Long Lane Ladies (1) 3

Herne Bay Ladies (1) 4
Chapman 5, Tullett 53, Farrow 55, Holness 67

at Kidbrooke

South East Counties Womens Footbal League Premier Division
Sunday 7th September 2014

by Anthony Deer

After a great start last week to our new league campaign, we headed to Long Lane, last year’s champions in the Division One East, to play our first away fixture. Long Lane are one of those teams that you just don’t know what to expect. Last year’s results were both Herne Bay wins, with a 2-0 win at home and a 7-0 win away. The pitch wasn’t the normal standard, it was not cut and was very long.
It was a strange start to the game, as Long Lane went on the attack, a corner was awarded and from the corner Long Lane bundled it in with only a minute on the clock gone. Almost straight from the restart Harriet Chapman had her first chance one on one with the goalkeeper only to hit it straight at her. Moments later, Harriet did find the back of the net for the equaliser with success after another one on one with the Long Lane keeper. For the first twenty five minutes all the play went to Herne Bay with plenty of chances to increase the lead however, a post and last ditched defending stopped Herne Bay increasing the score. The last twenty minutes of the half, Long Lane started to creep back into the game as we seem to panic at times and made wrong choices at the wrong times. Half time couldn’t come quick enough as a few things were needed to be said to improve our performance.

I had no doubt that we could win the game, I just asked for a little more composure on the ball and to start making the right decisions in crucial areas. Again the first 25 minutes we dominated the match, with Isabella Tulett unleashing an unstoppable strike from a wide area in the penalty area in the 53rd minute with Carly Farrow moments later adding to the score. We were certainly on top and missed more chances than I would have liked. However, a great run by Harriet pulled the ball back for Vicky Holness to hit the ball across the keeper to make it four within 22 minutes of the restart.

Two minutes later, Long Lane got one back when the referee deemed Emma Brown’s strength to be unlawful and awarded a penalty. From here, again we put unnecessary pressure on ourselves by rushing passes and giving the ball away cheaply. It was a very nervy end to the game, even more so when Long Lane scored a third in the 89th minute. Long Lane then had the ball in the back of the net again however much to the disgust of the home team and crowd it was offside. We saw the game out and gained our second three points of the season.

The message today was that we can’t be complacent, a three goal lead isn’t safe as teams won’t stop until the final whistle. The hard work starts once the lead is taken! The pitch stopped either team from playing any fluent football which both teams and the referee had concerns at the start and throughout, however, the three points were won, with lots of things to work on ready for our next game next Sunday home to South Park. We will take each game as it comes and I’m sure myself and the girls will learn from today to ensure we get things right for the whole 90 minutes of a game.

Next game South Park at Home, Winch’s Field Sunday 14th September 2:30pm KO

Herne Bay Team: Breeze Handley, Emma Brown, Rachel Tracy, Beth Nugent, Debbie Blackmore, Carly Farrow, Kayleigh Mount, Nicola Harris, Kate Foster, Vicky Holness, Harriet Chapman, Isabella Tulett, Bella Smith, Sarah Holmes, Ashley Bantages, Jaime Welch

Player of Match: Beth Nugent