Herne Bay Ladies retained the Womens Plate in some style at Sevenoaks Town’s Greatness Park with a resounding victory over Bromley Ladies.

In truth, the Bay were firm favourites coming into the game playing three levels higher than their opponents, and for 40 minutes there was only one goal in the contest as the underdogs more than held their own until a blistering blast of three goals in the last five minutes of the first ended the game as a contest.

Great praise must be given to Bromley, who kept going during the second half despite the ongoing assault, and were eventually rewarded with the game’s final goal in the final minutes. The damage though had long since been done and the Plate was returning to Winches Field…

It was a fairly even start as first Kate Foster for Herne Bay had a good shot blocked whilst Bromley’s Kristy Higginson had a header cleared off the line by Debbie Blackmore.

The game’s opening goal was one good enough to grace any final and arrived on 15 minutes. Isabelle Tullet flicked on a ball for Vicky Holness to brilliantly volley over Bromley keeper Lisa Whitnall and into the net.

Bromley were stunned and Herne Bay were comfortably in control – Bromley were probing whilst Herne Bay were happy to wait for their chances.

And they duly came as Sarah Holmes saw a free kick beaten away well by Whitnall before Holness headed Emma Brown’s cross wide of the left post.

In the five minutes before half time, Herne Bay simply upped a gear that Bromley just could live with as they netted three more to effectively kill the game.

Foster slotted home expertly to make it 2-0 from a left wing cross, before Lesley Kay fired home an unstoppable 25 yard bullet (from Holness’ lay off) made it three and with the final play of the half Foster headed her second and her side’s fourth from another expertly delivered set piece.

The taking of the Bay’s dead balls play really was one of the big differences between the two sides on the day.

Any feint hope that Bromley had of a revival were all but snuffed out on 51 minutes as Harriet Chapman fired home after an expert square ball from Holmes.

The Bay’s domination of the game continued and it was a great credit to Bromley’s defence that they didn’t collapse completely as blue wave after blue wave poured forward.

Tullet’s header was well kept out by Whitnall and when Bay skipper Rachel Tracy tried a “Beckham” from near the half way, the Bromley keeper was equal to it!

Another spurt of two goals in two minutes then followed for the Bay as firstly Foster picked herself up after being fouled to complete her hat trick from the spot before Carly Farrow battled through and Whitnall could only parry her fierce shot as it rebounded off the keeper and post before crossing the line to make it seven!

Bromley kept trying to get on the score sheet and skipper Becky Bays had a header (from a corner) cleared off the line before at the other end, Holmes’ volley was again blocked away from Whitnall before Bromley finally got their goal in the first minute of stoppage time.

A misplaced back pass was intercepted by Tanya Holly who managed to beat Bay keeper Breeze Handley to the ball and was able to roll the ball into the net.

It was a goal that Bromley probably deserved, and one which coach Steve Payne (who got the award for the fashion statement of the night with his bright luminous lime green shirt) was delighted to go in as he admitted after the game:

“We’ve been beaten by a very good side tonight – they play a couple of Leagues above us and so it’s shown us where we want to be playing next year.”

“I’m proud of the girls to be fair – I know the scoreline doesn’t do it any justice, but I’m proud of what we’ve achieved and I think they’ve done very well.”

“I’m choked to be fair as if we win maybe two more league games we’ll be champions so how can we be unhappy?”

Winning coach Anthony Deer was understandably delighted. He said, “We worked hard this year and what a great second half performance by us. We didn’t play well first half yet scored four good goals and that’s all credit to the girls as that’s the way we’ve played all year!”

“Credit to Bromley but at the end of the day, the three at the end of the first half killed the game stone dead. Success breeds success as it’s another trophy, but if we get promoted we can’t try and defend it next year – the club is fully behind us and we want to go as far as we can go, with the next step being into the Southern League.”

“Hopefully next year, but if not we’ll be patient, but tonight I couldn’t be happier!”

After a Final played in such good spirit throughout and was a credit to any Cup Final, we leave the final word to the beaten coach –

“We went to sleep at the end of the first half and boy were we punished. Herne Bay are a great side and that’s what good sides do to you when you switch off at this level! Good luck to them.”

Pictures supplied by Peter Guise