Herne Bay made comfortable progress to the next round in the qualifying competition for this season’s SSE Women’s FA Cup.
However, it could have been more emphatic as they spurned a myriad of chances against lower league opposition. In the end, a goal in each half from Vicky Holness was enough to see them through.
“We worked hard, I don’t think Burgess Hill were really a threat up front. First half we were a little bit quiet, second half they did what we asked them to do, we’ve just got to learn about decision making in the final third”, said Herne Bay Ladies manager Anthony Deer,
“We had players playing out of position today, the full squad wasn’t available, so it was a little bit awkward”.
Indeed, despite a large squad, Herne Bay were only able to name one substitute through injury and unavailability but as the manager pointed out afterwards, “it’s a cup game and we got through”.
Holness might have opened the scoring earlier than she did but her 4th minute shot was well saved by Tracey Smith in the Hillians’ goal. The opener was not too long in coming. It duly arrived in the 16th minute when Kayleigh Mount put Vicky Holness through and she slammed it into the bottom left hand corner.
Bay had further chances in the opening period with the ‘keeper on top form to deny them. Smith saved at point blank range from Emily Brown then 4 minutes before the break tipped Kayleigh Mount’s effort onto the crossbar.
After the break, the home side powered up a gear in response to the manager’s words and the game was as good as over when Vicky Holness added her second on 53 minutes.
But the visitors were not ready to roll over. On the hour Jessica Saunders fired into the side netting after a good run on the right. Burgess Hill often seemed quicker to the ball but couldn’t prise the home defence open, Beth Nugent and Rachel Tracey commanding in the centre of the Bay back line.
The introduction of Amanda Beeput for Herne Bay 20 minutes from time almost yielded immediate impact. First she discovered Tracey Smith in excellent form to deny her then chipped wide moments later. Gemma Sullivan might have added to Bay’s score line when clean through but the ball outrun her.
In stoppage time Carly Farrow rose to meet Rachel Tracy’s free kick but her header came back off the Burgess Hill right hand upright.
“This year is all about learning, where we are, where we stand”, said Deer, “I think we are strong as a squad, obviously it’s going to be difficult when players have to adapt to positions.”
“We had three strikers today, two of them had to play in midfield. It’s the card we got dealt today and we’ve got through it unscathed”.
Herne Bay Ladies: Sarah Cooper, Amber Guyatt, Kayleigh Mount (Amanda Beeput 67), Beth Nugent, Debbie Blackmore, Harriett Chapman, Carly Farrow, Gemma Sullivan, Vicky Holness, Rachel Tracy, Emily Brown.
Subs not used: none
Burgess Hill Town: Tracey Smith, Danielle Bishop, Hayley Nash, Mica Saunders (Hannah Harvey 57), Hollie James (Penny Gittins 46), Jade Chapman (Sapphire Kalinski 57), Shannon McFadden, Lottie Pollendine, Abbey Dawson, Jessica Saunders.
Subs not used: Keeley Wheatley
Player of the Match: Beth Nugent (Herne Bay).
Referee: Stephen Rowedder Assistants: Graeme Depreux & Darren Walter
Herne Bay Ladies (1) 2
Vicky Holness 16, 53
Burgess Hill Town (0)
SSE Women’s FA Cup
1st Qualifying Round
Sunday 6th September 2015
at Winch’s Field
Attendance: 63
Picture supplied by Steve Barton – Tracey Smith tips Kayleigh Mount’s effort onto the bar.