Dramatic Penalty Shoot Out Win Puts Bay in Semi Finals

Herne Bay Ladies (0) 0

Dartford Royals (0) 0

Herne Bay won 4-3 on penalties following 0-0 draw after extra-time.

at Winch’s Field

Kent FA Women’s Cup Quarter - Final
Sunday 16th November 2014.

Att: 51

by Peter Guise

(photo credit: Peter Guise – Sarah Cooper saves Jenny Rose’s penalty in the shoot out.)

This, on paper, always looked as though it was going to be a titanic struggle between the top two at this level. They may well yet be battling out between them in the remaining league and league cup competitions in the South East Counties Women’s League. This is Herne Bay Ladies first appearance in the Kent FA Women’s Cup having won the Plate version two years in succession but promotion see them eligible for the Cup as a Step 4 side.

“I hate penalty shoot outs but a great save from Sarah Cooper ensured we went on to win the game”, said Bay Ladies manager Anthony Deer. Indeed, it was the Royals custodian, Jody Lazell, who had kept her side in the game on numerous occasions not only with her goal saving ability but her positional awareness made the task much harder for Herne Bay and at times she also acted as sweeper.

Herne Bay Ladies started much brighter than in their previous outing but all of their opening efforts were frustrated. Holness shot straight at the ‘keeper early on from Tulett’s right wing cross and Tulett herself saw her shot just before the interval tipped round the right hand post for a corner. Dartford where not without chances of their own. They were quick to close down, composed on the ball and never seemed hurried.

Further chances for Bay to score were repelled in the second half although the home side again went close in the 56th when Carly Farrow won a free kick some 25 yards out. Vicky Holness sized up the free kick well but Lazell was again in fine form to tip the goalbound effort over the bar.

Inevitably, the full time whistle heralded another 30 minutes of extra time in which both sides had chances to progress and again it was both goalkeepers who shone with Sarah Cooper stretching to turn one Royals drive round the post and Jody Lazell denying Vicky Holness in the dying minutes as she advanced just enough to force Holness to shoot against the post rather than into the net.

So it was then, that penalties were needed to separate the combatants. Just as it had been in opening play, it would be the ladies between the sticks who would dominate.

Kelly Philpott confidently struck the first blow for Royals and Herne Bay skipper, Rachel Tracey thumped a decisive penalty to level the shoot out.

Jenny Rose then had her penalty brilliantly saved by Sarah Cooper and Carly Farrow made no mistake to inch Herne Bay ahead.

Ellen Thomas struck a good penalty for Royals that Sarah Cooper got a hand to but could not keep it out before Vicky Holness restored Bay’s slender lead with a well placed spot kick to Lazell’s left.

Vicky Bull then drew Royals level with Sarah Cooper again getting a hand to it before stepping out of the goal to take a penalty herself against her opposite number and thumped it home.

Now Dartford had to score but their final penalty smashed on to the cross bar and Bay Ladies were through to renew what seems to be an annual acquaintance with Women’s Premier League (South) Gillingham in the semi final.

“Without a few key players it was always going to be a tough match, however the rest of the team stepped up to the plate and fought throughout”, said Anthony Deer, “The Dartford keeper definitely was the difference is this tie! The more saves she made the more frustrated the team became! It was always going to be a close call. Even when the ‘keeper was beaten the woodwork came to the rescue! A great save from Sarah Cooper ensured we went on to win the game, harsh on Dartford but it's a lottery at the end of the day!”

Herne Bay Ladies: Sarah Cooper, Nicola Harris, Kayleigh Mount, Beth Nugent, Debbie Blackmore, Jemma Roberts (Emily Brown 16), Carly Farrow, Sarah Holmes, Isabella Tulett, Victoria Holness, Rachel Tracy.

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

Herne Bay Ladies Player of the Match: Emily Brown