Audacious Gardner Chip Bags The Points

Herne Bay Ladies (1) 2
Harriett Chapman 21
Hannah Gardner 81

Crawley Wasps (0) 1
Chewy Carter 66

London & South East Regional Women’s Football League (Premier Division)
Sunday 29th November 2015

at The Altira Park Stadium, Winch’s Field

Attendance: 37

by Peter Guise.

(photo credit Peter Guise – Player of the Match Nicola Morris goes for goal).

Herne Bay made hard work of it after spurning a host of chances but secured all three points in this hard fought league victory.

“We made hard work of it today, the conditions probably didn’t help but Crawley Wasps played some nice football”, said Herne Bay Ladies manager Anthony Deer, “they pressed us quite high but resilience and the will not to give up showed to the end”.

Bay created enough chances, especially in the first half, to have cruised through this game but had only Harriett Chapman’s 21st minute goal to show for their efforts. Released into space on the right hand side of Wasps’ box she made no mistake lashing the ball past Stephenson in the visitors’ goal. Gardner had been through before that but chipped into the arms of the keeper. On the stroke of half time Gardner also shot into the side netting.

After the interval, Crawley forced Bay on to the back foot and, winning the ball in midfield, Chewy Carter raced through the centre of the home defence in the 66th minute to score a deserved equaliser. But Bay were not to be denied. They got back into the game with some neat ground football and Gardner ought to have scored in the 75th minute when she went one on one with Stephenson but the Crawley keeper kept her out. The Bay striker had the last word though. Released in space on the left with nine minutes left of the ninety she produced a deliciously audacious chip from distance that sailed over Stephenson into the visitors’ net. A goal worthy of winning any match.

“At times it was very frustrating, our passing game seemed to elude us at times today”, said Deer, “we created chances but our final decision making in the box let us down in the first half. The Crawley girl has made a great finish but we can’t keep making those errors. We’ve got the win through hard work and a great finish by Hannah (Gardner) again. We’re disappointed when we concede and it kick starts us. We don’t want to have to concede to settle us. We’ve still got players to come back, it’s difficult to get into this team, everyone has to work hard for a place.”

Herne Bay Ladies: Sarah Cooper, Amber Guyatt, Nicola Morris, Beth Nugent, Debbie Blackmore, Kate Foster, Carly Farrow, Nicola Morris, Harriett Chapman, Gemma Sullivan, Hannah Gardner, Rachel Tracy.

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

Crawley Wasps: Natalie Stephenson, Jade Simmons, Bethany Kemp, Hannah Duncan, Michelle Ward, Emily Robinson, Aston Worsford, Suzanne Davies, Lauren Callaghan, Chewy Carter, Holly Walker.

Subs (roll on / roll off): none named

Referee: Wayne Dunn

Herne Bay Ladies Player of the Match: Nicola Morris