Herne Bay Ladies reached the 2^nd Qualifying Round of the FA Women’s Cup by repeating their victory over the same club as they faced in the 1^st Qualifying Round last term.

They now await the draw at FA Headquarters to be announced Monday lunchtime.

As BBC TV weather presenter Carol Kirkwood might have said the weather was “scorchio”. For the last throws of September playing 90 minutes in 22 degrees Celsius seemed to take its toll. The match, consequently, reduced in pace the longer it went on.

“From the very first whistle we played some neat and attractive football,” said Bay Ladies Manager Anthony Deer.

It was, nonetheless, a frantic first five minutes. Vicky Holness’ original shot was parried by the visitor’s goalkeeper, Holness squared the rebound to the feet of Nicola Harris who rifled Bay ahead inside three minutes.

It was her first goal for the club since joining in the summer. The lead lasted just 60 seconds with Amy Kirwin firing Anchorians level. Herne Bay pushed forward at every opportunity with Vicky Holness chipping over in the 9^th, Harriet Chapman’s header from Holness’ right wing cross was parried by the Anchorians ‘keeper and Kate Foster’s 27^th minute drive was parried to safety by Gemma Norton between the Anchorians sticks.

Norton was the busiest of the two ‘keepers but Sarah Cooper in the Herne Bay goal was called into action just before the half hour mark when she had to be equal to a fierce drive from Donna Sutton, stretching up and backwards to tip the ball over the bar for a corner. But Herne Bay Ladies were not to be denied, duly doubling their advantage in the 32^nd minute when Vicky Holness reacted quickly to poke home after Norton had parried her first effort.

After the break the September sun started to take its toll and twice Cooper got the better of one on one encounters with Anchorians’ marauding striker Sam Ryan in the 47^th and 69^th.

In between times Vicky Holness scored her second of the match, and Bay’s third, when she put her laces through the ball from 25 yards from the Anchorians goal. It was an unstoppable strike on the mid-point of the second period. It proved to be as decisive as it was delicious and put the destiny of the game beyond doubt.

“The season has started extremely well but we know we can’t be complacent,” said Deer, “as it appears we are now the team everyone wants to beat!” What about that wonder strike from Holness? “The ball rolled perfectly on to her,” purred the Bay manager, “and as she struck it there was only one place it was going!”

 

Herne Bay Ladies: Sarah Cooper, Nicola Harris, Kayleigh Mount, Beth Nugent, Debbie Blackmore, Kate Foster, Carly Farrow (Isabella Tulett 62), Harriett Chapman, Sarah Holmes, Victoria Holness, Rachel Tracy (Bella Smith 62).

Subs not used: Emily Brown, Ashley Bantages, Breeze Handley.

Anchorians: Gemma Norton, Jodie Cheeseman (Shannon Martin 46), Laura Boorman, Jasmine Truckell, Sam Ryan, Anna Hewer, Donna Sutton, Sarah Santo (Ellie Stewart 30), Amy Kirwin, Reanne Armstrong.

Subs not used: Leanne Stevens, Georgia Bowie, Hannah Norton

 

Player of the Match: Sarah Holmes

Referee: Kirsty Dowle    Assistants: Derek McCamley & Trevor Higgs

 

Herne Bay Ladies (2) 3

Harris 3

Holness 32, 64

 

Anchorians (1) 1

Kirwin  4

 

at Winch’s Field

 

FA Women’s Cup – 1^st Round Qualifying

Sunday 28^th September 2014.

 

Attendance: 65

 

(photo credit: Steve Barton – Vicky Holness celebrates as the ball hits the back of the net!)