Bay in Competition Proper

Long Lane (0) 0

Herne Bay Ladies (2) 4
Chapman 11, Tracy 45, Blackmore 67 (pen), Holness 88

at Kidbrooke

FA Women’s Cup – 3rd Round Qualifying
Sunday 2nd November 2014.

by Peter Guise

(photo credit: Peter Guise – Debbie Blackmore slam home from the penalty spot.)

Games against Long Lane have always had added spice for Herne Bay Ladies but, in this FA Women’s Cup tie, they were swept aside as Bay progressed to the Competition Proper stage for the first time.

“After last week’s performance I think we needed a reaction and although we didn’t start off fantastically well we slowly got into the game, pushed on and got the result we wanted,” said Bay Ladies Manager Anthony Deer.

Having already beaten Long Lane in the league this term and after their win over higher league opposition in the previous round the outcome of this game on paper ought to have been a comfortable read. It was, despite the scoreline, a hard won victory. Long Lane looked comfortable on the ball, were accurate with their passing and worked space well. They were, however, confronted with a strong Bay defence that snuffed out chances, a goalkeeper in Sarah Cooper who commands here domain and a forward line that both creates and takes chances.

The visitors took the lead in the 11th minute. Vicky Holness lifted a free kick into the danger area that both Kate Foster and Harriett Chapman pounced on with the latter grabbing the final touch to stab home the opener. Although Long Lane enjoyed the greater possession and territorial advantage for the remainder of the half, Bay Ladies delivered a killer blow on the stroke of half time. Skipper Rachel Tracy powered a 35 yard wonder free kick into the 18 yard box that bounced and appeared to elude everyone on its way into the net although there was a suspicion that Carly Farrow might have got a flick on it on its way through. There seemed little deviation in the ball’s course and it would be a brave statistician who denied the Bay Ladies captain of a rare goal credit.

After the break, Long Lane stepped up their pace although they were only able to create one clear chance. That was in the 53rd when Sarah Cooper pulled off a remarkable save at the foot of her left hand post from substitute Alana Garrett. It would prove to be the only real effort of note for Long Lane in the match.

Bay Ladies were now enjoying more possession and in the 67th were awarded a penalty when Rachel Tracy’s fierce drive was charged down with hands. In fairness, the Long Lane defender could hardly get out of the way and some might say the penalty award was harsh. Debbie Blackmore showed neither mercy nor sympathy stretching Bay’s lead with a sweetly struck spot kick that rose into the top left corner.

The game looked up and Long Lane’s cause was hampered further when, in the 74th minute, Jasmine Augustie received a second yellow card and, as a consequence, the home team were reduced to ten. Now Herne Bay exploited more space, their flowing game returned and Vicky Holness put the game beyond doubt two minutes from time when swept home a right wing cross into the right hand top corner of Grainger-Quinn’s net.

Isabella Tullett might have added a fifth on the stroke of full time but her shot came back off the post.

“Second half was much better, it’s a cup competition, doesn’t matter how you do it, next round, happy days”, said Anthony Deer, “Everything seemed right today, the mood in the changing room was focused and determined. I couldn't have asked anymore really from the girls today, maybe a few better decisions at times but then I'm nit picking! Scoring four goals, keeping a clean sheet and in the hat for the next round makes days like today worthwhile! ”

The draw for the FA Women’s Cup – 1st Round Proper is on Monday 3rd November and will be available to view after 1 pm on the FA website.

Herne Bay Ladies: Sarah Cooper, Emma Brown, Kayleigh Mount (Nicola Harris 47), Beth Nugent, Debbie Blackmore, Kate Foster, Carly Farrow, Harriett Chapman (Isabella Tullett 80), Emily Brown, Victoria Holness, Rachel Tracy.

Subs not used: Bella Smith, Breeze Handley, Ashley Bantages

Player of the Match: Debbie Blackmore