Ladies Leap Toward Title

Five more points needed

Thamesview (0) 0

Herne Bay (1) 3
Lauren Williams 9
Kayleigh Mount 68
Lucy Page 86

SECWFL Division One (East)
Sunday 3rd March 2019
at Rochester United FC

(photo: Lauren Harris is denied by the brave Thamesview 'keeper)

Herne Bay Ladies took another leap toward the Division One (East) title and a return to the Premier Division at the first time of asking with this win against a Thamesview side that had been tipped as challengers pre-season but now have a relegation battle on their hands writes Peter Guise.

It wasn't a classic. After Lauren Williams had opened Bay's account early on, with her tenth of the season, the visitors looked a little rusty round the edges. Passes went astray and, on an uneven surface, control seemed difficult. But, this side has perserverance in abundance, and resolutely stuck to their task. The back three held firm and Sarah Cooper did not have a save to make until the second 45. Then, as so many times this season, she was equal to it, and earned the reward of another clean sheet.

Deadball specialist Kayleigh Mount was unlucky with a free kick just after the hour when her looping deadball effort came back off the Thamesview crossbar. She was not to be denied, however, as soon after, she ghosted in from the left hand side to snaffle her second of the season and Bay's second of the match. Now there was daylight and Bay settled into their more familiar rhythm, moving the ball with ease quickly and keeping possession. The third goal came four minutes from time with Lucy Page's looping effort from the edge of the box.

"Since the start of the year our flow has been disrupted with cup games and cancelled matches and that showed today", said manager Peter Whittaker, "but making sure we kept a clean sheet gave us the time and patience needed to get the goals to win the game. It wasn't a classic but I'm sure we'll go on from this and finish the season strongly with our more dynamic flowing football".

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

Substitutes (roll on / roll off): Chloe Woolaway, Alice Phillips, Katie Reeves, Emma Brown

Player of the Match: Kerry Grant