Bay Close In on Title

Glebe (0) 1

Herne Bay FC Ladies (5) 5
Jemma Barton 13, 27
Kate Foster 19
Chloe Woolaway 30
Effie Dodds 39

SECWFL Division One (East)
Sunday 10th March 2019
at Foxberry Avenue

(photo: Jemma Barton stoops to head home her second of the afternoon)

The proverbial game of two halves in which Bay did all the hard work in the first and went through the motions in the second, writes Peter Guise. It really was that different with the only down side being that the second half slumber let Glebe in for a consolation to spoil another clean sheet. Dragons once slain should not be allowed to resurrect themselves. It marred a perfect performance in the opening 45 minutes with top scorer and player of the match, Lauren Harris, turned unselfish provider. A brace for Barton, Foster's strike from distance, Woolaway's tap-in after the 'keeper couldn't hold Duff's fierce shot and Dodd's cheeky chip gave Bay supremacy.

The collective foot was taken off the gas in the second half and it eventually let Glebe back into the game. 14 minutes from time, Kerry Grant was tackled by a Glebe midfielder, Grant was left with a hand that appeared to have broken fingers after what appeared to be a stamp, the referee allowed play to continue, Sophie Gifford netted for Bay, but then the match official brought play back and awarded a free kick to Glebe from which they went on to score a consolation. Where is VAR when it is needed to clear up questions unanswered?

Just two points now stand between Herne Bay FC Ladies, the league title and a return to the Premier Division.

"We had a first half game plan and we executed it ruthlessly", said manager Peter Whittaker, "there were some great combinations and the flowing football was fantastic, so the game was over as acontest by half time. Hopefully, we can repeat that next Sunday against Maidstone but for the full 90 minutes".

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

Roll on / roll off substitutes: Sophie Gifford, Effie Dodds.

Player of the Match: Lauren Harris