There are many clichés that spring to mind but suffice to say that the two division gulf between these two was hugely evident and resulted in Herne Bay Ladies being on the wrong end of a drubbing of the kind that they have been more used to dishing out in the past few seasons than receiving.
The Addicks quick passing, skilful use of the ball, and speed of foot had Bay on the defensive from the first whistle. Missing influential players, Bay attempted to continue their reliance on the one up front tactic which has seen their goal tally diminish this season. The ploughed furrow of the lone striker proved a lonely one against a well drilled Charlton defence.
An early chance fell to Danni Farmer but the chip from distance dipped after it had gone over the crossbar. From then on, Charlton had the lion’s share of possession and chances converting nine of them into hard data before the 90 minutes were up. It might have been more but for the battling Sarah Cooper in the visitor’s goal who pulled off a number of goal denying saves.
The Addicks opened the scoring in the 21st minute when Katie Flack strode through the defence to slide the ball home. Gemma Shepherd and Kit Graham added a goal apiece before the break and at the interval Bay might have been reasonably unperturbed but Charlton pressed home their advantage after the interval to earn themselves a place in the final against Tottenham Hotspur.
Indeed, the second half was less than a minute old when Stefanie Simmons added the fourth. Five more were to follow to seal what is Bay’s record defeat in competitive football.
Whilst The Addicks can now look forward to that final against Spurs, Herne Bay can point to the possibility of a satisfying top half league finish in their first season at one division below the Women’s Premier League structure and a Cup Final appearance of their own at the start of April in the Kent Women’s Cup.
Charlton Athletic: Megen Lynch, Ruby Southgate, Katie Flack, Kimberley Dixson (Samantha Pittuck 58), Rosie Paye, Grace Coombs, Amy Howlett, Ellie Baxter, Kit Graham (Jenny Newman 52), Gemma Shepherd, Stefanie Simmons (Nikita Whinnett 63).
Subs not used: Charlie Clifford, Alex Baker
Herne Bay: Sarah Cooper, Emma Brown, Alex Roy, Bethany Nugent (Emily Brown 63), Debbie Blackmore, Kate Foster, Carly Farrow, Harriett Chapman, Amber Guyatt, Danni Farmer (Mollie Proctor 60), Rachel Tracy (Rebecca Longley 52).
Subs not used: none
Referee: Anthony Andrews Assistants: Silvester Aina & Alan Escudier
Herne Bay Ladies Player of the Match: Sarah Cooper
Charlton Athletic Women (3) 9
Katie Flack 21,
Gemma Shepherd 36, 57,
Kit Graham 41, 51,
Stefanie Simmons 46,
Jenny Newman 65, 90,
Nikita Whinnett 79
Herne Bay Ladies (0) 0
Ryman Women’s Cup Semi-Final
Tuesday 27th January 2016
at Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead Town FC
Attendance: 71