Tepid Draw Sees 100% Record Surrendered

Meridian (0) 1
Molony 90+3

Herne Bay Ladies (1) 1
Holness 36

at Bluebell Hill

South East Counties Womens Football League (Premier Division)
Sunday 26th September 2014.

Attendance: n/k

by Peter Guise

(photo credit: Peter Guise – Vicky Holness’ cross swerves past the keeper for the opener)

“We were just not on the ball from the start, we can’t expect to just turn up and win every Sunday.” said manager Anthony Deer, “To be fair Meridian should have won this game let alone get the draw.”

That Herne Bay managed to salvage a point at all from this performance was a victory in itself. Actually, that statement in itself shows just how far Herne Bay Ladies have come and how high the expectations of them are. The old football adage used to be ‘win at home, at least draw away’ seems that get forgotten too many times! Sometimes, Champions have to win ugly or grab points dourly, the latter was certainly the case in this tepid, tormenting tussle on a lumpy, humpy pitch that certainly didn’t suit Bay’s style. But that was not the whole truth. Meridian were quicker to the ball, had by far the majority of possession and made the least errors. In fact, the home side’s supremacy was a shock to the collective system, a system that seemed out of sorts. Yes, players were missing through injury and illness (only two subs were named) but this Bay Ladies team on the day was not a weak one, on paper at least.

Three times in the first period Sarah Cooper made superb saves to deny Meridan and in the second half the crossbar came to the rescue, but it was Bay who took the lead nine minutes before the break. Vicky Holness went on a run down the right and her cross eluded everyone as it swept over the keeper’s grasp and looped in at the back stick. Indeed, other chances were spurned in the first half with Sarah Holmes denied by a double save from the home goalkeeper.

After the turnaround, Meridian had a cold October wind at their backs and a not inconsiderable Bluebell Hill slope in their favour. They enjoyed the lion’s share of the ball. Time and time again they forged forward, set up camp in the Bay half but failed to find the final finish. Bay did have chances to kill the game though. Holness side footed into the side netting on 71 and with ten minutes to go Kate Foster was unlucky to see her effort roll across the face of goal. The introduction of Emily Brown and Jemma Roberts during the second half pepped the Bay play up but they couldn't force the second goal to put the game to bed. That might have been harsh on Meridian.

Deep into stoppage time Meridan grabbed a deserved equaliser with a shot worthy of winning a match, not just forcing a draw. Natasha Moloney strode forward and struck a sweet drive from 25 yards that was going nowhere but the back of the net. It ended Bay’s 100% start to the season in all competitions.

“They wanted it more than us,” said Deer, “we made it hard for ourselves. They played some good compact football and frustrated us and forced us into mistakes from pressuring every ball. We seemed to be second to every ball and when we did have good possession we gave it back to them cheaply!”

Herne Bay Ladies Match Squad: Sarah Cooper, Emma Brown, Rachel Tracey, Beth Nugent, Debbie Blackmore, Carly Farrow, Sarah Holmes, Nicola Harris, Kate Foster, Victoria Holness, Harriett Chapman, Jemma Roberts, Emily Brown.

Herne Bay Player of the Match: Harriett Chapman