This may not have been the best performance of the season for Herne Bay but they survived a long road trip, an onslaught in the last quarter of the match, progressed to the final qualifying round after making the most of their chances and with thanks to a double save at point blank range from ‘keeper Emma Hogben at a crucial moment.
“We made hard work of it again, the performance wasn’t good enough but the girls who came today put in a shift and done the job”, said Herne Bay Ladies manager Anthony Deer, “I don’t think we deserved to win today but cup football is what it’s all about and we are into the hat for Monday”.
Bristol certainly started the brighter but Herne Bay grew in confidence as the half wore on and grew stronger as a result. The inevitable opening goal duly arrived in the 23rd minute when Carly Farrow strode forward to smash the ball past the home ‘keeper.
But, as often happens in cup football, Bristol struck back and might have had an equaliser almost immediately but for Emma Hogben in the Bay goal pulling off the first of a string of fine saves that she would make throughout the match. This opening denial saw her dive to push away an effort at the foot of her right hand post.
Within the space of the next few minutes Carly Farrow might have put the game to bed, firstly, with a rasping shot that flew wide and, secondly, a header at the near post that eluded the goal frame from Lucy Harrington’s left wing corner kick. Bristol were not to be rolled over though, might have equalised on the half hour mark when Wardle turned Bay central defender Beth Nugent but shot wide, then deservedly restored parity just before the break when her scuffed effort trickled over the line.
After the break, Bay increased the tempo and in the 59th minute Lucy Harrington’s inswinging corner confused everyone and took a deflection of Bristol’s Chez at the near post to give the visitor’s the lead. Now Bay had to hold on to that lead as Bristol surged forward with neat passing moves and incisive runs.
The pivotal moment came 10 minutes after Bay had taken the lead. Emma Hogben in the Bay goal made a double save at point blank range to ensure Bay’s slender advantage remained intact.
Now reverting to a formation that left just one up front, Herne Bay were forced back more and more as wave after wave of Bristol advance was dealt with; not always with conviction. Stoic defending, persistent attacking, but Bristol had left gaps at the back as they surged forward in search of a second equaliser. It was their undoing.
Gemma Sullivan, with the clock running down, collected a clearance and from 25 yards sent a looping chip goalwards. It cemented Bay’s progress into the final qualifying round via the underside of the crossbar and gave Sullivan her first goal of the campaign.
It also dealt a killer blow to Bristol’s hopes of getting back into the match with only sufficient time remaining for the game to be restarted then closed out with the final shrill of the referee’s whistle.
“It’s always difficult when you travel these distances”, said Deer, “our fluency wasn’t there, we seemed to panic a lot. Bristol were quick and we looked sluggish first half, the goals we scored were decent. We showed resilience, Emma in goal pulled off some good saves and kept us in it. We’re through to the next round”.
The draw for the 4th Round Qualifying takes place on Monday at Wembley with ties scheduled for Sunday 8th November
Herne Bay Ladies: Emma Hogben, Emma Brown, Alex Roy, Beth Nugent, Debbie Blackmore, Carly Farrow, Mollie Proctor, Gemma Sullivan, Emily Brown, Rachel Tracy, Lucy Harrington (Shona Clark 69).
Subs not used: Bella Smith
Player of the Match: Emma Hogben (Herne Bay).
Referee: Darren Sage Assistants: Joseph McKimm & Jack Reed
Bristol Ladies Union (1) 1
Polly Wardle 44
Herne Bay Ladies (1) 3
Carly Farrow 23
Chez o.g. 59
Gemma Sullivan 89
SSE Women’s FA Cup
3rd Qualifying Round
Sunday 11th October 2015
at The Dingle Coombe Sports Complex
Photo credit: Peter Guise – Carly Farrow scores Bay’s opener