It would be difficult for my girls' to leave Herne Bay, says proud boss Anthony Deer

Bromley’s Ravenetts were making their first appearance in the final, in their inaugural season, but they found themselves 4-0 down at the break at Sevenoaks Town’s Greatness Park.

“The game started off slowly and to be fair to Bromley, they kept us quiet and pressured us early on,” said Deer.

“The first goal settled everyone down. We didn’t play well at times but the four goals in the first half are the best I’ve seen this year and pretty much killed the tie!

“Vicky Holness scored with a great volley, which lobbed over the keeper’s head.

“Kate Foster, who was probably the smallest player on the pitch, timed her run with perfection after a great cross from Holness and headed it past the keeper.

“Probably the best goal of the game came from Lesley Kay from 30-yards. As soon as it left her foot I knew it was going in! It was an absolutely stunning goal!

“The fourth, again, came from the head of Kate Foster on the stroke of half-time.

Reflecting on the second half, Deer continued: “It didn’t take long in the second half to finally put this game to bed. Harriet Chapman hit across the keeper to make it five.

“Kate Foster – who deservedly got player-of-the-match - completed her hat-trick after being upended in the box and took the resulting penalty and Carly Farrow completed the scoring soon after.

“We played a lot better second half as we knew we didn’t have to push forward and chase the game.”

Bromley scored a late consolation through winger Tanya Holley, which disappointed Deer.

He said: “The only blip of the game was the late consolation goal. Our team hate conceding and have shown pride in keeping teams at bay. However, it was just a consolation which Bromley deserved as they didn’t give up at all throughout the game.”

Performances like this will certainly get the scouts to watch Herne Bay’s team, but Deer insists it’s not the time to leave the club.

He said: “Most of the girls have played for higher teams.  They have linked well both on and off the pitch.

“If a higher club does come in then great, but I think it would be difficult to leave Herne Bay as 99& of these girls live in town and have bought into what the club is trying to achieve.

“Defending the title of the Kent FA Women’s Plate in our second year goes to show what we are trying to achieve at Herne Bay FC.

“In our second season we have reached and won the Women’s Kent Plate for the second year running.

“We’re in the final of the League Cup against Bexhill United and are currently sitting second in the league.

“I haven’t really thought about next year as such, as we need to stay focused with this season’s games, ensuring that Long Lane are continuously looking over their shoulder.

“I have spoken to a few players who are interested in joining us next season, but it will be difficult to get into the current squad at the moment but things change over a summer period with work, family commitments take over but the girls all seem to be enjoying it, even though occasionally I have a moan!”

 Both of last season’s finalists receive backing from the main clubs by playing their home games at Winch’s Field and in Bromley’s case, Hayes Lane.

It proves that women’s football in Kent is flourishing, with Gillingham and Charlton Athletic the ones to look up to, both challenging for The FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division title.  Both clubs meet at Chatham Town’s Maidstone Road ground on Sunday (2pm), before locking horns again, at Maidstone United next Thursday, 10 May, in the Kent Women’s Cup Final.

Millwall are also preparing for their inaugural Super League Two campaign, playing their home games at The Den.

“We get a lot of backing from the club as they see how well and how far we have come.  We have even turned a few of the doubters,” revealed Deer.

“The fact that the club are allowing us to play at Winch’s Field next season is a big step as now we can get our own following from the Bay fans in the town on a Sunday afternoon.

“A crowd of 181 people last night shows the great support for this game at women’s level.

“Hopefully in the future we may start a reserve team and possibly a development team if there is enough interest.

“But if there are any players that are interested in joining our team please contact me on 07900897873.”

Visit Herne Bay’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/hernebay