Despair in Double Header

Game 1:

Herne Bay Ladies (1) 3
Isabelle Quinney 15
Lauren Harris 31
Kate Foster 33

Ashford Ladies (1) 3

Game 2:

Ashford Ladies (0) 0

Herne Bay Ladies (0) 0

SECWFL (Premier Division)
Sunday 29th April 2018
at Winch's Field

(photo: Isabelle Quinney opens the scoring)

by Peter Guise

This much anticipated double header against fellow relegation candidates Ashford Ladies proved the decisive encounter it had promised to be and it leaves Bay needing wins from both their remaining games to escape the drop. Bay had thought they were on their way with Isabelle Quinney's opener in the fifteenth minute. Then two goals in as many second half minutes, the first from Lauren Harris and the second, a cleverly flighted free kick from Kate Foster that the visiting 'keeper could only palm into the net, seemed to have settled the first match. But Ashford fought back levelling the score-line to deny Bay the advantage going into the second game.

With two points dropped from the first encounter the second game, officially Ashford's home game, Herne Bay looked once again to have gained the upper hand when awarded a penalty for handball. Debbie Blackmore's spot kick came back off an upright with the 'keeper well beaten. By such small margins are fortunes settled and although both sides had opportunities the goal fest of the first match was not to be repeated.

Ashford Ladies will be happier with the two draws whilst Herne Bay must now steel themselves for two final matches in which they know what the results must be, nothing less than victory will preserve their Premier Division status.

Herne Bay FC Ladies Match Squad: Rachel Tracy, Asmaa Hatim, Effie Dodds, Lucy Page, Debbie Blackmore, Kayleigh Mount, Kate Foster, Jemma Barton, Maddy Chapman, Chloe Woolaway, Lauren Harris, Isabelle Quinney, Cara Lockwood, Monique Beaumont, Katie Reeves, Sophie Gifford.