Herne Bay Ladies ended their record making three match run of defeats by squeezing past basement Bexhill in a match that had more than an end of season feel about it.
In a game devoid of any real quality only two moments sparkled, both in the first half. First, Sarah Cooper pulled off an outstanding save in the 20th minute to deny Bexhill’s Laura Bolton when she tipped the dangerous striker’s drive onto her left hand post.
The second was Hannah Gardner’s 30 yard strike seven minutes later that put Bay into the lead. The latter threatened to open the floodgates but as so often has been the case this season, Herne Bay Ladies could not go on to put the game beyond doubt.
It wasn’t for the lack of effort though. Carly Farrow fired narrowly wide from a 38th minute free kick and Hannah Gardner struck straight at the ‘keeper when through.
After the break, although Herne Bay controlled the midfield, the decisive quality was missing in the final third with too many through balls racing away over a hard surface.
Frustration reared its head with a quarter of an hour to go when Harriet Chapman was shown a straight red for a Beckham-like retaliation after a foul and Bay played out the last 15 minutes one short but with no real alarms.
Indeed, Sarah Cooper was a virtual spectator in the home goal for much of the second forty-five.
Herne Bay Ladies: Sarah Cooper, Emma Brown, Alex Roy, Beth Nugent, Debbie Blackmore, Kate Foster, Carly Farrow, Harriett Chapman, Nicola Morris, Hannah Gardner, Rachel Tracy.
Subs (roll on / roll off): Rebecca Longley, Amber Guyatt, Harriett Woolston.
Cautioned: Carly Farrow, Kate Foster. Sent Off: Harriett Chapman
Referee: Adam Aylward
Herne Bay Ladies Player of the Match: Nicola Morris
Herne Bay Ladies (1) 1
Hannah Gardner 27
Bexhill United (0) 0
London & South East Regional Women’s Football League
Sunday 10th April 2016
at The Altira Park Stadium, Winch’s Field
Attendance: 47
Photo credit Peter Guise – Carly Farrow’s free kick goes narrowly wide.