On a grey Crawley day, Herne Bay Ladies kept up their winning record at Three Bridges FC’s Jubilee Stadium with this hard fought win over London & South East Regional Women’s Football League side Crawley Wasps.

Bay had to defend for long periods, especially in the second half, but showed character and spirit to progress through to the final qualifying round of the FA Women’s Cup.

“Without Tor and Harry today it was hard,” said Bay Ladies Manager Anthony Deer, “but we showed fight and character to make sure we got the clean sheet. Clean sheets win games”

Without the services of Victoria Holness, Harriett Chapman and Isabella Tullett, Bay Ladies gave starts up front to Breeze Handley and Nicola Harris. Wasps’ general play always looked organised and their movement of the ball was clearly of a high standard, always to feet and always to a player in space.

Having survived an early scare when Rebecca Carter rattled Cooper’s crossbar, Herne Bay started to find their feet. In the 15^th minute they took the lead when Kate Foster wriggled free of the attention of three Crawley defenders, her quick feet feeding Carly Foster inside who strode forward to slot past the advancing ‘keeper.

Hannah Duncan and Lisa Richards were at the heart of much that was good for Crawley but wave after wave of attacks met with solid resistance from the Bay defence. Richards went closest to restoring parity in the 33^rd when her chipped effort fell onto the top of the visitor’s net.

After the break, the Wasps swarmed forward and enjoyed the majority of both territory and possession but came up against a resilient back line and an in-form Sarah Cooper. On the hour mark, she saved another Carter effort with the rebound being cleared off the line, then,10 minutes later Cooper again denied Carter with a point blank range reaction save.

In between times, the few forays forward that Bay achieved through quick breaks might, on another day, have put this game to bed and ensured a smoother, and less jittery for supporters, progress into the next round. Substitute Emily Brown lifted the ball on to the top of the Crawley net on 61 and Kate Foster did likewise with a shot whipped in from the left hand angle of the home side’s penalty area with 5 minutes to go.

“The girls are over the moon, we’re into the final qualifying round for the first time it will be nice to get a home draw now!” said Deer, “To be fair, we let them play a bit, we sat deep at times, they had to come at us second half, we put fresh legs on, Emily Brown did exactly what I asked of her and Sarah Cooper in goal was outstanding, she pulled off absolutely crucial saves.

The draw for the FA Women’s Cup – 3^rd Round Qualifying is on Monday 13^th October and will be available to view after 1 pm.

 

Crawley Wasps: Catherine Poleykett, Hannah Duncan, Rebecca Carter, Aston Worsfold (Jade Simmons 49), Suzy Davis, Natalie Stephenson, Toni Smith, Kelly Poynton (Michelle Smith 83), Beth Kemp, Zoe Martin (Rebekam Dent 65), Lisa Richards.

Subs not used: none

Cautions: Suzy Davis    Sent Off: none

 

Herne Bay Ladies: Sarah Cooper, Emma Brown, Kayleigh Mount, Beth Nugent, Debbie Blackmore, Kate Foster, Carly Farrow, Breeze Handley (Ashley Bantages 63), Sarah Holmes, Nicola Harris (Emily Brown 57), Rachel Tracy.

Subs not used: Bella Smith

Cautions: none              Sent Off: none.

 

Player of the Match: Sarah Cooper (Herne Bay Ladies)

 

Crawley Wasps (0) 0

 

Herne Bay Ladies (1) 1

Farrow 15

 

at The Jubilee Stadium

 

FA Women’s Cup – 2^nd Round Qualifying

Sunday 12^th October 2014.

 

Referee: Chris White      Assistants: Pete Moran & Paul Simpson