Herne Bay Ladies charge up the women’s football pyramid came to an abrupt halt at AFC Wimbledon.
The home side were oozing technical ability, rarely making a mistake and showing just why they are top of the league with a seemingly inevitable promotion to the Women’s Premier League structure to crown their efforts at the end of this season.
“For forty-four and a half minutes of the first half we stuck to the game plan, that one moment of a lapse of concentration is the difference between going in 0-0 or 1-0 down”, said Herne Bay Ladies manager Anthony Deer, “the second goal right after half time has killed us, but for a world class save from their ‘keeper it might have been different, but that’s what football is like at this level, you have to take your chances”.
Herne Bay were put on the back foot from the first whistle but came within seconds of going in at half time level for their efforts. AFC ran the first half and might have gone ahead in the 19th minute but for a superb save from Sarah Cooper to keep out Emma Keady.
Six minutes before the break, Clifford blasted over when well placed but then with the interval seconds away Emma Keady put the home side ahead undoing all of the visitors stout defending when she powered home from Sian Wylie’s right wing cross.
Immediately after the break Keady doubled Wimbledon’s advantage and now AFC were in full flow. Jo Clifford’s 51st minute free kick came back off the crossbar and ten minutes later Sarah Cooper had to dive at the feet of Linsey Clarke to deny the home side a third goal.
But the onslaught subsided and Bay enjoyed a purple patch that almost saw them back into the game. First the crossbar came to AFCs rescue, a drive from Amanda Beeput so close to cutting the deficit in half. Then Harriet Chapman saw her shot hacked off the line and in the 70th minute a double save from Shanell Salgado prevented the visitors from scoring.
Stung into action the league leaders made the points safe when Jess Trimnell nipped in at the near post to poke the ball past Cooper.
“Coming here with 12 players doesn’t help, we have to look at more commitment from players”, said Deer, “but we didn’t disgrace ourselves today. They (AFC Wimbledon) played some nice football. First half we dealt with it, fair play, they took their chances, technically they were better than us individually and as a team”.
Defeat at the hands of the runaway leaders may be less of a pressing issue for Anthony as the lack of availability of committed to the cause players; out of the 23 he has in the Herne Bay Ladies squad his selection choice was limited to just 12!
AFC Wimbledon starting XI: Shanell Salgado, Cindy Colliner, Linsey Clarke, Sian Houhton-Nurto, Rebecca Sargent, Jordanne Hoesei-Atkins, Jess Trimnell, Jo Clifford, Kelly-Jade Whelan, Sian Wylie, Emma Keady.
Subs (roll on, roll off): Liane Tylee, Kristie Bavington, Becky McLaren.
Herne Bay Ladies starting XI: Sarah Cooper, Emily Brown, Rachel Tracy, Debbie Blackmore, Beth Nugent, Harriett Chapman, Kate Foster, Gemma Sullivan, Mollie Proctor, Carly Farrow, Alex Roy.
Subs (roll on, roll off): Amanda Beeput.
Referee: Martin Reed
Herne Bay Ladies Player of the Match: Alex Roy
AFC Wimbledon (1) 3
Emma Keady 45, 46
Jess Trimnell 85
Herne Bay Ladies (0) 0
London & South East Regional Womens Football League (Premier Division) Sunday 18th October 2015 at Gander Green Lan3.
Photo credit Peter Guise – Harriett Chapman draws a save out of Salgado