Bexhill’s Bolton Bruises Bay

Bexhill United (1) 3
Laura Bolton 12, 60, 65

Herne Bay Ladies (0) 2
Beth Nugent 78
Harriett Chapman 89

By Peter Guise

(Photo credit: Peter Guise – Beth Nugent scores to kick start the fightback)

Basement side Bexhill United battled their way to their first win of the season thanks to a higher work rate and Laura Bolton`s hat-trick. Herne Bay were left bruised, Emma Brown with stud marks down her leg from an unpunished tackle, and bewildered.

There can be no doubt that United deserved the victory. They were quicker to the ball, made play happen, and took advantage of Bay`s hesitancy. A 12th minute tap in got them underway courtesy of some reluctant defending and Laura Bolton`s hunger to force the ball home. Bay rarely troubled the home ‘keeper in the opening 45 minutes and after the break, Bexhill continued to storm forward. Two one on ones with the visiting ‘keeper brought more delight and a hat-trick for Bolton. On the hour she cut in from the right and made no mistake with only Cooper in front of her. Five minutes later Laura Bolton completed her excellent work for the day, slicing through the Bay midfield and blasting past the stranded ‘keeper.

Only now did the visitors show more urgency and purpose, moving to a two up front formation that paid dividends. Beth Nugent poked home from a left side corner, a rare goal for the centre half, to give Bay hope in the 78th minute. with only a minute of the normal 90 to go, Harriet Chapman met Debbie Blackmore`s corner on the right with a bullet header that flew past Calder in the Bexhill goal.

It was a spirited fightback but came too late to overhaul Bexhill`s lead who deservedly hauled themselves off the bottom whilst Herne Bay slipped to fourth in the table. In no small measure did Bexhill United gain revenge for their defeat by Herne Bay in the League Cup Final the season before last.

Bexhill United starting XI: Hayley Calder, Laura Calder, Caroline Burke, Sophie Curtis, Michelle Compton, Karli Povey, Anne-Marie Pier, Stevie Robertson, Tillie Carley, Leslie Smith, Faye Denyer.

Subs (roll on / rroll off): Kiera Tucker, Laura Bint, Cynerberly Smith, Cheryl Soffe.

Herne Bay Ladies starting XI: Sarah Cooper, Emma Brown, Beth Nugent, Debbie Blackmore, Kate Foster, Carly Farrow, Harriett Chapman, Gemma Sullivan, Nicola Morris, Rachel Tracy.

Subs (roll on / roll off): Amanda Beeput, Emily Brown, Alex Roy, Kayleigh Mount, Amber Guyatt.

Player of the Match: Laura Bolton (Bexhill United)

Referee: Bob Bamblett