Bay Cruise Past South Park

Herne Bay Ladies (4) 7

Chapman 12, 20, 25, 58
Holness 36, 73
Farrow 71

South Park (0) 0

Sunday 14th September 2014
South East Counties Women's Football League (Premier Division)

at Winch's Field

by Peter Guise

(photo credit - Steve Barton: Harriet Chapman scores. )

Herne Bay picked up their third win in as many matches in the Premier Division with this cruising victory over South Park inspired by a 13 minute hat-trick from Harriet Chapman. They might have taken the lead early had Victoria Holness' tap not caressed the wrong side of the South Park right hand upright.

Chapman opened the scoring in the 12th when she rose to head home, with some power, Nicola Harris' right wing cross. Eight minutes later, Kate Foster fed a ball through the middle for Harriet Chapman to walk the ball into the net, then Chapman completed her hat-trick in the 25th driving home from the edge of the area. Nine minutes fro half time, Victoria Holness finally got on the scoresheet with another walked in goal.

After the break, Bay added three more to their tally without reply. Chapman scored her fourth sliding the ball under the keeper in the 50th, Carly Farrow fired home, right footed, from the edge of the box on 71, then Holness chipped the 'keeper after being played in by Farrow 2 minutes later.

Sarah Cooper, deputising for the absent Breeze Handley between the sticks, had a relatively easy afternoon.

All in all a comprehensive and consummate victory that puts Bay 2 points clear at the top of the table.

Deery's thoughts on the match:

What a difference a week makes, last week we looked a bit rusty, this week we went back to playing some fantastic fluid football all over the park and looked more solid at the back. With no Breeze Handley, unavailable due to work, there was a debut for Sarah Cooper between the sticks today. We had a full squad to choose from otherwise, the weather was perfect and the pitch didn't look too bad considering there was an U18s match on it in the morning.

As a team we needed to address some small problems from last weeks match against Long Lane and these plans were laid out and executed throughout the match. Once the ladies settled down into the game it was all one way traffic. Credit to the back four once again as they stopped any serious attack from happening and were more composed on the ball rather than just clearing the line, actually playing the ball across to each other to set up more attacks.

Herne Bay have found their feet quickly in this new league, however, we will not get carried away and look to keep improving not only our confidence to play but our ability to play as well. Some really great football was played today by all but still room for improvement, more composure at the back led to more attacks and we ensured that Sarah Cooper's debut was made into a quiet one.

Three out of three games won, our next three games are at home, including the Women's FA Cup against Anchorians but up next is Burgess Hill at home, another team that we don't know too much about. But we will set up like any other match and take it one minute, one half, one match at a time to ensure success this season. We have a stronger squad this year with a couple of new faces hopefully being added in the next couple of weeks to increase competition for places and keep everyone on their toes.

Herne Bay squad: Sarah Cooper, Emma Brown, Rachel Tracey, Beth Nugent, Debbie Blackmore, Carly Farrow, Nicola Harris, Kayleigh Mount, Kate Foster, Vicky Holness, Harriet Chapman, Isabella Tulett, Sarah Holmes, Bellamy Smith, Ashley Bantages.

Player of the Match: Harriet Chapman.