Bay Ladies March on in Cup

Herne Bay Ladies (2) 3
Harris 3
Holness 32, 64

Anchorians (1) 1
Kirwin 4

at Winch’s Field

FA Women’s Cup – 1st Round Qualifying
Sunday 28th September 2014.

Attendance: 65

by Peter Guise

(photo credit: Steve Barton – Vicky Holness celebrates as the ball hits the back of the net!)

Herne Bay Ladies reached the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Women’s Cup by repeating their victory over the same club as they faced in the 1st Qualifying Round last term and now await the draw at FA Headquarters to be announced Monday lunchtime.

As BBC TV weather presenter Carol Kirkwood might have said the weather was “scorchio”. For the last throws of September playing 90 minutes in 22 degrees Celsius seemed to take its toll. The match, consequently, reduced in pace the longer it went on.

“From the very first whistle we played some neat and attractive football,” said Bay Ladies Manager Anthony Deer.

It was, nonetheless, a frantic first five minutes. Vicky Holness’ original shot was parried by the visitor’s goalkeeper, Holness squared the rebound to the feet of Nicola Harris who rifled Bay ahead inside three minutes. It was her first goal for the club since joining in the summer. The lead lasted just 60 seconds with Amy Kirwin firing Anchorians level. Herne Bay pushed forward at every opportunity with Vicky Holness chipping over in the 9th, Harriet Chapman’s header from Holness’ right wing cross was parried by the Anchorians ‘keeper and Kate Foster’s 27th minute drive was parried to safety by Gemma Norton between the Anchorians sticks. Norton was the busiest of the two ‘keepers but Sarah Cooper in the Herne Bay goal was called into action just before the half hour mark when she had to be equal to a fierce drive from Donna Sutton, stretching up and backwards to tip the ball over the bar for a corner. But Herne Bay Ladies were not to be denied, duly doubling their advantage in the 32nd minute when Vicky Holness reacted quickly to poke home after Norton had parried her first effort.

After the break the September sun started to take its toll and twice Cooper got the better of one on one encounters with Anchorians’ marauding striker Sam Ryan in the 47th and 69th. In between times Vicky Holness scored her second of the match, and Bay’s third, when she put her laces through the ball from 25 yards from the Anchorians goal. It was an unstoppable strike on the mid-point of the second period. It proved to be as decisive as it was delicious and put the destiny of the game beyond doubt.

“The season has started extremely well but we know we can't be complacent,” said Deer, “as it appears we are now the team everyone wants to beat!” What about that wonder strike from Holness? “The ball rolled perfectly on to her,” purred the Bay manager, “and as she struck it there was only one place it was going!”

Herne Bay Ladies: Sarah Cooper, Nicola Harris, Kayleigh Mount, Beth Nugent, Debbie Blackmore, Kate Foster, Carly Farrow (Isabella Tulett 62), Harriett Chapman, Sarah Holmes, Victoria Holness, Rachel Tracy (Bella Smith 62).

Subs not used: Emily Brown, Ashley Bantages, Breeze Handley.

Player of the Match: Sarah Holmes

Referee: Kirsty Dowle Assistants: Derek McCamley & Trevor Higgs

The further thoughts of Anthony Deer:

This week we took a rest from league action and turned our attention to the Women's FA Cup. We hosted Anchorians in the first qualifying round at Winch's Field. For some reason when we play against Anchorians we seem to stop playing our natural game but credit to Anchorians who caused a few problems today.

From the very first whistle we played some neat and attractive football. Our decision making throughout the first half wasn't the best and we were forcing passes and panicking on the ball. At times it wasn't pretty, whether it was the heat but we just couldn't get to grip with the game.

Half time came and the message was simple, we needed to relax a little bit more and start making the right choices. The second half we started getting slowly back into our calmed approach and play and more chances started to happen. Back to league action next Sunday when we host Eastbourne at Winch's Field. The season has started extremely well but we know we can't be complacent as it appears we are now the team everyone wants to beat!