Eastbourne Beached!

Herne Bay Ladies (6) 9
Farrow 7, 25
Chapman 16
Foster 21
Holness 26,28
Blackmore 55, 75
Roberts 61

Eastbourne (0) 0

at Winch’s Field

South East Counties Womens Football League (Premier Division)
Sunday 5th October 2014.

Attendance: 52

by Peter Guise

(photo credit: Peter Guise – Carly Farrow opens the scoring in the 7th minute)

Herne Bay maintained their 100% record by brushing Eastbourne aside with a 6 goal blitz in 22 first half minutes that left the visitors floundering and, effectively, put the game to bed before the break. They added three more after the interval and it could well have been more, much more.

Carly Farrow opened the scoring as early as the 7th minute when she fired home Kate Foster’s pass. Harriett Chapman scored her 7th of the new campaign when she doubled Bay’s lead on the quarter hour mark, heading a right wing cross through the ‘keeper’s hands. Herne Bay now carved through the Eastbourne defence at will. Kate Foster sent a 30 yard effort looping into the net four minutes later and in the 25th Chapman laid the ball off for Farrow to slot home her second of this sunlit afternoon. Not more than 60 seconds had elapsed before the south coast ‘keeper fumbled Chapman’s shot and Vicky Holness pounced to make it five nil. Holness added a sixth before the half hour was up and the game was over as a contest.

After the turnaround, with the team talk having been conducted on the sun drenched pitch, Bay pressed on and were rewarded when Debbie Blackmore made a run through the left channel played a one-two with Chapman and poked the ball home for the first of her two goals. The second of which came 15 minutes from time when she slotted the ball in at the base of the visitor’s right hand upright from the edge of the area. Sandwiched in between those two goals was a fairy tale first touch strike from substitute Jemma Roberts, Bay’s latest addition to the squad, who had been on the pitch a matter of seconds. There was even the luxury, with Sarah Cooper playing in goal, for regular ‘keeper Breeze Handley, an accomplished outfield player in her own right, to make a substitute appearance in a blue rather than yellow shirt midway through the second half.

To say this result was comprehensive would be a massive understatement. Yes, the finishing was not as clinical as it might have been at times but this was an impressive performance by a team that grows in confidence and accomplishment the more it plays and the higher in the women’s non league pyramid it plays, or so it would seem.

Herne Bay Ladies now take a short break from league action, comfortably perched at the top ofthe South East Counties Women’s League Premier Division, to engage in cup action; the FA Women’s Cup and Kent FA Women’s Cup commanding their attention for the next two weeks. Two tough matches away to higher league opposition that will test just how far this unit has come.

Said manager Anthony Deer afterwards, “What a great performance to go along with the goals scored and another clean sheet!”

Herne Bay Ladies Match Squad: Sarah Cooper, Emma Brown, Kayleigh Mount, Rachel Tracy, Beth Nugent, Debbie Blackmore, Carly Farrow, Kate Foster, Victoria Holness, Harriett Chapman, Nicola Harris, Bella Smith, Breeze Handley, Ashley Bantages, Emily Brown, Jemma Roberts.

Herne Bay Player of the Match: Carly Farrow

Deery’s thoughts on the game:

"Today everything seemed to click. Our passing was sleek and precise and at times sensational. We gained in confidence as the game went on, everyone trusted each other with the ball! We played from the back, across the middle and fed our forward line some decent balls. Once again the back four dealt with everything that came forward in a calm manner and helped set up many attacks. Player of the match Carly Farrow was on fine form as her composure and decision making created opportunities for the team and even bagged herself a couple of goals. Sarah Cooper was just a mere spectator again but was there as support for the back four when called upon. Wave after wave attack kept Eastbourne camped in their own half with rare attacks not causing any problems.

To win five out of five league games is a dream start to the season, but teams are going to want to beat us at every opportunity to claim our scalp. However we will ensure we are of the right mindset for each game, one at time! Up next will be a tough test away to Crawley Wasps in the Women's FA Cup, a game if we play to our full potential could create an upset, however we will approach this game like any other."