No Cup Upset at Chatham

Gillingham Ladies (1) 3
Lorton 28, 47
Hincks 62 (pen)

Herne Bay Ladies (0) 0

at Maidstone Road, Chatham Town FC

Kent FA Women’s Cup Semi Final
Sunday 18th November 2015

by Peter Guise

(photo credit: Peter Guise – Shanley denies Holness.)

With rout style scorelines between these two in previous years, Herne Bay Ladies underlined their progress in the game in three short years while Gillingham Ladies made the progress that mattered in this single game and will defend their Kent FA Women’s Cup title in the Final at the end of March.

"We’re definitely getting closer", said manager Anthony Deer, "they are a little bit fitter than us but we held our own, three goals conceded against a team three divisions higher than us, they’ll be a little more disappointed than us!"

The Gills demonstrated their Women’s Premier League prowess, dominating the play and having the lion’s share of possession and duly took the lead in the 28th minute when Louise Lorton ghosted into the penalty area, got between defender and ‘keeper and popped home the opener, purportedly off her knee although there are those who later alluded to a suspicion of the ball being guided into the net with a hand. Nonetheless, a goal, of any description was no less than the Gills play had deserved. Bay almost struck back two minutes later when Carly Farrow fed Vicky Holness but the striker’s effort curled wide.

After the break Gillingham Ladies continued their superior territorial and ball possession, putting further pressure on Sarah Cooper’s goal. It took just 2 minutes of the second 45 for Gills to double their lead although, again, not without an element of luck. Louise Lorton, so effective wide on the right, cut in and directed a looping shot toward Cooper’s goal that, at first, seemed to be heading harmlessly for the side netting but swerved in at the near post.

Lorton might well have had her hat-trick just after the hour mark when she again sped in from the right only to be brought to ground by, Beth Nugent for which the Bay central defender received a yellow card to add to the penalty conceded. Ashlee Hincks powered the spot kick high down the centre and Gillingham confirmed their appearance in the Final.

With nothing to lose Herne Bay Ladies poured forward in an attempt to rescue the game. With 10 minutes to go, Harriett Chapman looped a shot goalwards that Courteny Shanley grabbed at the second attempt with Vicky Holness homing in on the loose ball. Then, with seconds remaining, Chapman twisted and turned her way through the Gillingham defence to the left hand angle of the six yard area, crossed into the path of Carly Farrow, who miscued her contact with Shanley’s goal gaping before her.

“The girls didn’t let themselves down, they know it was a game we could have caused a bit of an upset and the first goal was crucial”[/b], said Deer, “it’s an achievement getting to the semi-finals, these girls are capable of anything, we’ll get there. I think people will see from today that we are not just here to participate, we want to go as far as we can, this is the best a team from the South East Counties League has done against the Gills, it says we are going in the right direction.”

That Gillingham Ladies, with their higher league status, undoubted skill and possession, deserved to win this semi-final is not in issue, but Herne Bay Ladies showed that there is a rising force in Kent football which given time and application may yet one day challenge them for that honour. As Bay defender Debbie Blackmore commented on social media, “well battled today girls, we are getting closer”.

Herne Bay Ladies: Sarah Cooper, Emma Brown, Rachel Tracy, Beth Nugent, Debbie Blackmore, Kate Foster, Carly Farrow, Kayleigh Mount (Nicola Harris 73), Isabella Tullett (Emily Brown 70), Vicky Holness, Harriett Chapman.

Subs not used: Jemma Roberts, Bella Smith, Ashley Bantges

Herne Bay Player of the Match: Rachel Tracy