Maidstone United (1) 1
Nicola Morris 45 (p)

Herne Bay FC Ladies (2) 2
Kate Foster 25 (p)
Lauren Williams 45

South East Counties Women's Football League Division One (East)
Sunday 6th January 2019
at The Gallagher Stadium

It was a much anticipated clash between the pre-season favourites for the title and Bay underlined their credentials with a victory that ought to have been a lot more emphatic than the slender margin suggests, writes Peter Guise. Nonetheless, they moved six points clear of their closest rivals at the top of the table. Lauren Harris weaved her way into the box on 25 only to be brought down. Kate Foster thumped the resulting spot kick down the middle to give Bay the lead. With the first half clock running down, Bay conceded a penalty themselves and former Blue, Nicola Morris, made no mistake to level the score. Almost immediately, Bay won a corner on the left and Lauren Williams deep corner kick to the back post eluded everybody to restore the Bay's lead.

In the second half, Sarah Cooper pulled off some top class saves to deny Stones an equaliser, whilst Bay spurned a succession of one on one chances to extend their lead.

"It was a massive 3 points today with our nearest challengers dropping points", said manager Peter Whittaker, "the performance was never going to be our best after no game for a month but we showed great character, courage and determination to see us through a tough test".

Herne Bay FC Ladies: Sarah Cooper (GK), Lucy Page, Kayleigh Mount, Jemma Barton, Kerry Grant, Kate Foster (c), Megan Pearce, Lauren Williams, Saraya Phillips, Lauren Harris, Abigail Duff.

Subs (roll on / roll off): Katie Reeves, Alice Phillips, Chloe Woolaway.

Player of the Match: Sarah Cooper

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