Ladies Run Riot in First Outing

Meridian (0) 0

Herne Bay FC Ladies (3) 6
Lauren Harris (3), Kate Foster (2), Asmaa Hatim.

Pre Season Fixture at The Victory Academy, Chatham

Sunday 29th July 2018

Herne Bay Ladies put the woes of last season's relegation behind them by running riot in their first pre season outing of the new term in appalling weather conditions at Premier Division Meridian, writes Peter Guise. Several new players were on show for this fixture, Kerry Grant and Megan Pearce looked impressive as the new centre back pairing in a 4-4-2 formation and on the very odd occasion that Meridian managed to get through they found the more than capable Chloe Woolaway in goal unbeatable.

Bay had the match won by half time with Kate Foster opening the scoring and a Lauren Harris brace before the break. With the gusting wind at their backs after the turnaround Herne Bay took time to come to terms with the conditions but when they did, Kate Foster drove home a spot kick after Katie Reeves had been upended in the box, Lauren Harris completed her hat-trick and Asmaa Hatim made it six with a clever chip over the 'keeper's head.

This was a good all round team performance, Lucy Page's change of pace from right back was electrifying and both Kate Foster and Kayleigh Mount were denied by the goalframe. "It was a great start", said manager Peter Whittaker, "there was only one team out there that looked like a Premier Division side. The standard has been set".

Herne Bay FC Ladies Squad: Chloe Woolaway (GK), Lucy Page, Kayleigh Mount, Kerry Grant, Megan Pearce, Kate Foster (Capt), Katie Reeves, Jemma Barton, Cara Lockwood, Lauren Harris, Asmaa Hatim, Ashleigh Brooks, Alice Phillips.

Player of the Match: Kerry Grant