Crawley Wasps Dev Sqd (1) 2

Herne Bay (0) 2
Molly Shipton 55
Lauren Harris 59

By Peter Guise

After the euphoria of last week’s table topping win over Worthing, Herne Bay Women were brought down to earth with a bump, having to settle for a draw on the road at Crawley Wasps. The relentless driving rain made playing conditions difficult although underfoot the pitch itself was good. Bay never really got out of their stride, too often abandoning the skilful wing play that has served them well in favour of a head down charge through the middle met with solid resistance from a well drilled Wasps defence. It allowed Crawley to capitalise on errors, which they did in the 13th minute to take the lead when an innocuous pass out to the right wing was not dealt with by two Bay players, the resulting cross being thumped home.

After the turnaround, Bay played with more purpose. Seven minutes into the second half, Harriett Chapman, supporters will be pleased to see Bay’s third highest goalscorer of all time back in the Bay Blue, thumped an effort against the crossbar, the rebound fell to Lillian Tucker whose snap shot cannoned back off the left hand Crawley upright. The equaliser came in the 55th minute, Molly Shipton rising to head home Kate Foster’s right sided corner. Four minutes later Bay were ahead with Lauren Harris powering home. Perhaps Bay could now settle. It seemed not. Wasps surged forward and pulled the game back level in the 63rd after a mix up in the Bay defence.

Still Bay might have won it. With ten minutes to go, Bay had the ball in the Crawley net after neat interplay between Chapman and Harris, already forming a formidable partnership as a strike force, only for it to be ruled out by what must have been the tightest of offside decisions.

“It’s been a frustrating and disappointing day and we certainly didn’t get the balance of decisions going our way”, said manager Howard Pearce, “we have to be more consistent in our play. There were some positives; a point on the road is always good, Harriett Chapman returning, Lauren Williams’ cool head and dedication to the cause, but we must stick to our game plans if we are to progress”.

Herne Bay Matchday Squad: Sarah Cooper, Layla Little, Molly Shipton, Lucy Page, , Abigail Duff, Lauren Williams, Kate Foster, Jemma Barton, Harriett Chapman, Lauren Harris, Abbie Potter, Lillian Tucker.

Player of the Match: Lillian Tucker

Photo: Lillian Tucker receives her player of the match award from Derick Owen

Herne Bay FC

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