Farrow Hat-Trick Secures Holders’ Progress

Herne Bay Ladies (4) 7
Farrow 30, 70, 82
Holness 45, 45+3
Tulett 45+5
Foster 48

Abbey Rangers (1) 1
Walker 5

at Winch’s Field

SECWFL League Cup – 1st Round
Sunday 9th November 2014.

Att: 54

by Peter Guise

(photo credit: Steve Barton – Foster Makes it Five.)

Herne Bay Ladies, who won this Cup last season in a memorable final against higher division opponents, eventually secured passage into the next round of this term’s competition with ease despite a lethargic opening 20 minutes.

“After a slow start we dominated the match with some fantastic football”, said manager Anthony Deer, “the third goal today was, in my opinion, one of the best team goals we have scored since we became a team”.

A slow start, indeed, and it was the Division One (West) side who started much the brighter and capitalised on Bay’s tardiness by opening the scoring in the fifth minute when Hannah Johnson broke down the right to cross for Amber Walker to ram home. But tragedy was to strike Rangers on the quarter hour mark when ‘keeper Holly Nunn suffered a leg injury that forced her from the field. Her place between the sticks was taken by outfield player Natalie Jones who produced some good saves as Herne Bay stepped up their game. She was unable to stop Carly Farrow’s drive from the edge of the box in the 30th minute though and Bay were level. 12 minutes later, Kate Foster was brought down in the box and Debbie Blackmore had the chance to put Bay ahead from the spot but her penalty kick grazed the top of the crossbar as it sailed over.

Premier Division Bay were not to be denied though and three goals in stoppage time at the end of the first half as a result of the lengthy injury delay to Abbey Rangers’ goalkeeper effectively put this game to bed. First Vicky Holness slotted home Isabella Tulett’s right wing cross, Holness then scored her second before Tulett fired home at the back post from Kate Foster’s cross.

After the break it threatened to be an avalanche with Foster tapping home just 3 minutes into the second period following Tulett’s surge into the right side of the visitor’s 18 yard area. Johnson had returned in goal, under the roll on / roll off substitution regime but she was severely hampered by her leg injury. Bay added two more as they strolled home in defence of their trophy. Both were scored by Carly Farrow as she completed her hat-trick. The first, in the 70th minute, was a classic header from Foster’s left side corner and the second, 8 minutes from time, another header this time from a Holness cross.

“Herne Bay Ladies love playing at home, it’s going to be tough to beat us at Winch’s Field this season”, said Deer, “we move into the next game which is the quarter finals of the Kent Cup next Sunday against Dartford Royals! Another very tough fixture!”

Indeed it will be against, probably, Bay’s serious contenders for the league title as well. What is certain, is that Herne Bay Ladies will have to be quicker out of the blocks and quicker to settle into their undoubtedly superb stride.

Herne Bay Ladies Match Squad: Sarah Cooper, Bella Smith, Nicola Harris 47, Beth Nugent, Debbie Blackmore, Kate Foster, Carly Farrow, Sarah Holmes, Isabella Tulett, Victoria Holness, Rachel Tracy, Jemma Roberts, Emily Brown, Ashley Bantages, Breeze Handley.

Herne Bay Ladies Player of the Match: Carly Farrow