The Girls are Back in Town

Herne Bay Ladies (3) 5
Alice Phillips 6, 24
Beth Cooper 8, 87
Harriett Woolston 70

Fulham (0) 0

London & South East Regional Women's Football League
Sunday 11th September 2016
at Winch's Field

Att: 58

by Peter Guise

(photo credit: Peter Guise - Alice Phillips fires home the opening goal)

"Loved it, everyone played really well", said skipper Kate Foster, "seems like we've got the confidence back, we went out and knew that we could win from the off, there was a lot of movement, a lot of talking, everyone was happy to be there today".

Herne Bay Ladies recorded their first win of the season in dramatic and dominant style with a pulsating display of neat close passing football that had their south west London opponents on the back foot. Rachel Tracy gave debuts to a number of new players including Italian centre half Valentina Casini who impressed in her first match with a solid display at the back, good distribution and she might have scored in the second half but for a smart save from Paige Hersey at the foot of her left hand post.

Bay were dominant from the first whistle and were two up inside just eight minutes from first Alice Phillips drive then Beth Cooper's cheeky lob that cannoned in off the underside of the crossbar. More was to come as the flowing football continued and Tracy employed the roll on / roll off substitutions to the full in the sweltering heat. In the 24th minute, Alice Phillips netted her second of the match when she sent a dipping shot into the top right hand corner.

After the interval, Herne Bay Ladies consolidated their lead and possession of the ball. Harriett Woolston swept home with 20 minutes to go and Beth Cooper completed the afternoon by scoring her second of the match in the 87th minute. Carly Farrow, although having a quiet afternoon between the sticks, showed how good a goalkeeper she is when called upon to snuff out any marauding danger and commanded her area confidently.

"What a performance from everyone", said Herne Bay Ladies manager Rachel Tracy, "the back four were fantastic today, Valentina (Casini) and Becs (Rebecca Longley) together were great in central defence. We moved it around, we changed things toward the end because we were up so it was nice to be able to have a little practice on something else. There's a buzz back in the changing room and we've got the passionate Herne Bay ladies wearing the shirt that they love to wear. It's not just the Ladies who deserve praise, I'd like to record a big thanks to my dad for coming to mark the pitch out and get the stadium prepared".

Herne Bay Ladies squad: Carly Farrow, Rebecca Longley, Amber Guyatt, Valentina Casini, Debbie Blackmore, Kate Foster, Bella Smith, Harriett Chapman, Bonni Fleming, Beth Cooper, Alice Phillips, Mollie Proctor, Rachel Tracy.

Herne Bay Ladies Player of the match: Kate Foster