Sophie’s Stoppage Time Stunner Seals It

Herne Bay Ladies (0) 1
Emily Brown 68

Dartford Royals (0) 2
Jenny Rose 68, Sophie Longhurst 90

at Winch’s Field

SECWFL Premier Division
Sunday 5th March 2015.

Attendance: 72

by Peter Guise

(photo credit: James Prickett www.jamespricket.co.uk –Vicky Holness challenges for the ball.)

Herne Bay’s title ambitions were snuffed out in stoppage time by a stunning strike from Royals’ Sophie Longhurst. It also secured the Premier Division title for Dartford and set up what promises to be a scintillating showdown in two weeks time when these two meet again, this time, in the League Cup Final ay Winch’s Field.

“It was always going to be a tough fixture and once again it was down to taking chances”, said Herne Bay manager Anthony Deer, “we played much better than recent weeks but not putting away chances cost us not only the game but also the league as well.”

Indeed, Herne Bay did have a plethora of chances, all squandered, that cost them dear and they were not entirely happy with a host of decisions they felt did not go their way. One such incident was the opening goal of the game three minutes after the break. Bay ‘keeper, Sarah Cooper, rose to clutch a Jenny Rose corner and then appeared to be bundled over the goal-line 1960s style but the referee’s assistant flagged not for a foul but for the ball crossing the line whilst still in Cooper’s hands.

The first half had been a relatively quiet affair with both sides seemingly hesitant with so much at stake. It did, however, contain one moment that defined the match for Herne Bay. In the 34th minute Kate Foster was blocked then knocked to the ground as she made her way into the Royals 18 yard box but the resultant spot kick was dragged wide of Jody Lazell’s right hand post. A golden opportunity to break the deadlock and settle the home team’s nerves disappeared in that instant.

But Bay, knowing they needed only a draw to maintain their championship challenge, pressed on after the disappointment of both that and going behind shortly after the interval. In the 55th, Kate Foster’s header from a right wing cross looped over the visitor’s bar and just 2 minutes later, Isabella Tulett went 1 on 1 with Lazell but the ‘keeper advanced sufficiently to force Tulett to put her drive wide. Finally, Bay drew level. Emily Brown raced onto a ball in the inside right channel on 68 minutes and smashed the ball home.

Now the dynamics of the game changed and 5 minutes later Vicky Holness, again clean through, opted to attempt to go round the advancing Lazell rather than shoot and the chance was gone. Soon after, Harriet Chapman swung the ball in from the right and although Holness connected sweetly enough, her effort rose over the bar.

With the clock ticking down and deep into time added on, with Bay seemingly on course for the single point they needed, Sophie Longhurst dealt the killer blow with a spectacular, if somewhat speculative, strike from distance that flew past Cooper into the home net. It broke Bay hearts but bagged the league title for Royals.

“I'm gutted for the team as they have worked so hard this season to get into this position”, said Deer, “but now we focus on the two remaining league games to ensure we finish second and, of course, the League Cup Final”.

Dartford Royals are the SECWFL champions, an achievement they sang long and loud about in the dressing room after the game, but Herne Bay will still gain promotion if they bag runners up spot and, yes, there is still the Cup Final to come. On the evidence of this match it should be a show stopper.

Herne Bay Match Squad: Sarah Cooper, Emma Brown, Nicola Harris, Beth Nugent, Debbie Blackmore, Kate Foster, Carly Farrow, Emily Brown, Isabella Tulett, Vicky Holness, Rachel Tracy, Bella Smith, Sarah Holmes, Harriett Chapman.

Herne Bay Player of the Match: Vicky Holness.