Dockers edged out in five-goal thriller

Newhaven Ladies 2 Herne Bay Women 3, London & South East Women’s Football League Division 1 South, Match #16

It’s been a while since I last managed to make it to a Newhaven Ladies game (not for lack of trying, I hasten to add).

In that time, the Docker’s form and fortunes have steadily improved.  They've reached two cup semi-finals and gone on a seven-match unbeaten run.

In Herne Bay, though, the ladies yesterday afternoon found themselves up against a team also in a rich vein of form. The Kent side had won their last four league matches going into this game, including a resounding 9-1 win against Cray Valley earlier this month.

That these were two sides high on confidence was evident from the outset. Both teams were clearly intent on taking all three points from the encounter, making for an open and entertaining game with plenty of chances for both teams.

Herne Bay created the first big chance of the match, somehow failing to score from a corner when the ball looked like it needed only the slightest of touches to take it over the line.

Lauren Smith then almost opened the scoring for the Dockers, latching onto a perfectly weighted through ball from Jamie Quinn, only to be denied by a good save from the goalkeeper.

A couple of further set pieces provoked panic in the Dockers defence but were just about defended, while at the other end Newhaven also went close with a chance from a corner.

It was Herne Bay who took the lead midway though the first-half. A well-struck free-kick proved just too hot to handle for Newhaven goalkeeper Katie Burr, who despite getting both hands to the ball couldn’t quite push it over the bar.

One of football’s great cliches is that you’re never more vulnerable than when you’ve just scored. And so it was to prove in this game. Twice.

Within a minute of Herne Bay taking the lead, the Dockers pulled level. After a spot of penalty area pin-ball, Gracie Cook did brilliantly to control the ball, take a touch and drill the ball into the bottom corner.

Still the match went back-and-forth, both teams looking to land the next blow.

Although Herne Bay went close to landing it when they hit the bar, it was Newhaven who actually struck it. With half-time approaching. Charlotte Markham’s free-kick cannoned off the cross-bar, and Quinn reacted quickest to the rebound to head the hosts into the lead.

As had been the case earlier in the half, though, the winning side failed to hold their lead for too long. Within a couple of minutes Herne Bay had levelled. A moment of hesitation in the Dockers defence was seized upon by a visiting attacker who promptly drew her side level. In truth, it was a sloppy goal to give away at a time when Newhaven would have been confident about getting into half-time in front.

The second-half was not quite as open as the first had been, with chances for both sides not as prevalent as they had been in the opening 45-minutes.

It was Herne Bay who started the half the brighter, and they forced a couple of good saves from Burr. For their part, Newhaven were managing to find themselves in good positions down both flanks, but weren’t quite able to create any opportunities of note.

The winning goal ultimately arrived with around 20-minutes remaining. A long ball down the left flank sent the Herne Bay striker away. Just as it appeared a Newhaven defender had done enough to force her wide, the striker produced a great finish from a tight angle that left Burr with no chance.

Seemingly determined to have learned from what happened in the first-half, Herne Bay took their foot off the attacking gas at this point and set out to defend their lead.

The Dockers began to see plenty of the ball and much of the final 15-minutes was played in the Herne Bay half with Newhaven doing everything they could to create another meaningful chance and snatch an equaliser.

Wave after wave of attack was launched at the visiting defence, but the ball never quite fell for a Newhaven attacker. 

Even when Lucy Colllinson did get a clear shot away, the ball blasted straight into the face of an unfortunate (or I suppose fortunate from a footballing point of view) Herne Bay defender who was immediately pole-axed. It was a hefty blow and she did well to get to her feet a minute or two later.

The final-whistle was greeted with huge celebrations from the visiting players who knew they’d been in a proper game of football. In truth, a draw probably would have been the fair result, although both teams could also probably point to having created enough chances to deserve all three.

It’s not the first time this season that I’ve left a Newhaven Ladies game feeling well and truly entertained by the spectacle. It’s such a shame that Sunday afternoons can be impractical to spectating for me (and I’m sure others), due to other football commitments with my own children and vets games for me. The team deserve to attract larger attendances!

The Dockers are back at Fort Road next weekend when high-flying Ashford, one of the best teams in the league (they lost for the first time yesterday and have a goal difference of +60), are the visitors.

If you can, I really do urge you to get down and support the ladies. Not only will they need your support in what will be a hugely tricky encounter, but you’ll also get to witness a really good standard of football played in a great spirit.

Come On You Dockers!

My player of the match (aka, the controversial part): Jess Mead. The Newhaven right-back was lively throughout, defending diligently and getting forward to help attacks when she could. Special mentions for Charlotte Markham who did very well in midfield, and Jamie Quinn, whose clever passing almost led to chances for her teammates on numerous occasions.