Ladies Suffer First Defeat

Tonbridge Angels (0) 1

Herne Bay FC Ladies (0) 0

SECWFL Division One (East)
Sunday 25th November 2018
at Hadlow College

It had to come to an end sometime and this was the match that stopped a ten match winning streak progressing further. The magnificent start to the 2018/19 campaign has seen the Ladies soar to the top of the league table with maximum points from their seven games and they might have had something out of this game too had luck been on their side on the boggiest of pitches yet encountered.

"In a way, it's a weight off our shoulders", said manager Peter Whittaker, "the run had to come to an end at one point or another, but just look at what we have achieved so far". He is not wrong and this narrowest of reverses will serve as a gentle reminder that this team is not totally invincible.

Chloe Woolaway deputised between the sticks for the unavoidably absent Sarah Cooper and pulled off at least two saves that were top draw. The strike that ultimately won the game in the 56th minute, she could not have done much about. Bay could have been ahead in the first half. Kate Foster sent Lauren Harris free but the top striker was forced wide by the Angels' defence, sufficiently enough for her eventual shot to cannon off the home side's right hand upright. Still, in the second half Bay had chances, Asmaa Hatim was just beaten to the chase by the advancing 'keeper and Kate Foster saw one shot skew wide of the post. The track suit legginged referee also waved away a penalty appeal when Abigail Duff was sent sprawling in the box.

"Today was just one of those games, so many factors went against us, to invoke that post match reacton from another team should let our players know how good they are", commented Whittaker.

Indeed, the casual bystander could have been forgiven thinking that the Angels had won a cup final. The Bay manager added, "We walk away a defeated team today with class, we get back on with our journey and all this has done is stirred us on to be even more focussed and determined to achieve our goals".

Herne Bay FC Ladies: Chloe Woolaway, Lucy Page, Kayleigh Mount, Jemma Barton, Kerry Grant, Kate Foster, Megan Pearce, Saraya Phillips, Alice Phillips, Lauren Harris, Abigail Duff.

Subs (roll on / roll off): Katie Reeves, Asmaa Hatim

Player of the Match: Chloe Woolaway