Herne Bay Ladies maintained their 100% league record with this entertaining but tough win over Margate on the Hartsdown Park 3G, writes Peter Guise. The scoreline doesn't indicate how tough this encounter really was as Bay were made to work hard for their victory. But with a solid back four in front of Sarah Cooper between the sticks, Margate were limited to half chances whilst Bay converted four of theirs and could have had more. Emma Brown was denied by a terrific double save by Lauren Watson and Alice Phillips fired wide in the first half before scoring Bay's fourth 15 minutes from time.

Lauren Harris, returning from injury made an immediate impression, and it was her resolute run and cross that ended with Abigail Duff slotting home from the edge of the 6 yard box in the 18th minute. Lauren Harris treated the travelling supporters to a double two minutes after the turnaround and then in the 70th minute. With 15 minutes to go, Alice Phillips opened her account for the season and wrapped up the points for Herne Bay. The clean sheet came courtesy of 'keeper Sarah Cooper's fine penalty save minutes from time. With all the other matches in the division falling foul of the weather Bay went to the top of the league.

"It was a tough game, we had to battle", said manager Peter Whittaker, "but that's three out of three in the league now and we are starting to get recognised as serious competitors".

Herne Bay FC Ladies: Sarah Cooper, Lucy Page, Kayleigh Mount, Saraya Phillips, Kerry Grant, Kate Foster (captain), Megan Pearce, Emma Brown, Alice Phillips, Lauren Harris, Abigail Duff.

Substitutes (roll on roll off): Asmaa Hatim, Katie Reeves, Isabelle Quinney, Ashleigh Brooks

Player of the Match: Sarah Cooper

Match details

Match date

Sun 23 Sep 2018

Kickoff

14:30

Attendance

Team overview

Ladies Top Table

100% league record constinues

Match details

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