Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Ladies show plenty of heart to triumph
Herne Bay
Herne Bay Ladies showed plenty of resilience as they beat Burnt Ash 2nds 3-1 to maintain their unbeaten start in Women’s Kent League Division 1.
Keeper Christina Nash and young defender Rebecca Mackinnon both sustained injuries but the early leaders stood firm to record their fourth win in five matches.
Bay began the match on the back foot but defended well to keep Burnt Ash out and went ahead from a counter attack which resulted in Lucy Marks scoring her first of the game.
Ash then stepped up their efforts, and Bay suffered a setback when keeper Nash was hit in the face by the ball forcing her to leave the field.
Worse was to follow as a diving Mackinnon got hurt attempting to prevent a goal and she, too, had to head to the sidelines.
Nash returned as a kicking back to see out the half and in the second period Sarah Dengate took over in goal.
The replacement keeper was unlucky to concede an early goal but thereafter grew in stature producing some outstanding saves to be playerof-the-match.
A second goal from skipper Marks got Bay’s noses back in front, and five minutes later some great skill from Rachel Gentry led to her scoring a third to seal the points.
Bay are without a fixture this weekend. Team: Mackinnon, Marks, Nash, Young, Dengate, Mason, Gentry, Watson, Edmunds, Godden, Forwood.
Libby Fielder struck twice as Herne Bay 2nds won 5-4 away to previously unbeaten Burnt Ash 4ths in Women’s Kent Division 4.
Amber Potter, Sally Pywell and Gemma Cathcart were the other scorers as Bay kept in touch with the top three.
The 2nds have no fixture this weekend.
Bay’s 3rds host Dartford 3rds in Kent Division 5 at Herne Bay High on Saturday, start noon.
Herne Bay men’s 1sts were awarded a 5-0 home walkover against Ashford 3rds who were unable to field a side for their South League Kent Division 2 fixture.
With no game scheduled the previous week Bay have so far played just one league game. They are away to Sevenoaks 3rds on Saturday.
Herne Bay 2nds were beaten by the odd goal in seven away to Gravesham/ Wellcome 1st in Kent Open League Premier B.
Simon Newman-collins scored twice for Bay with Paul Mcvey also on target at Gravesend Rugby Club.
Bay face Ashford 4ths at Herne Bay High School on Saturday, pushback 4pm.
Tom White’s hat-trick helped Herne Bay 3rds to 7-1 home win over Burnt Ash 5ths in Kent Open League Division 1.
Matt Newman’s early goal was soon cancelled out by the visitors but White’s first, after a one-two with Peter Brundle, made it 2-1 and Harry Pout added a third.
James Nash then had a penalty stroke saved before White grabbed his second, snapping up a rebound off the upright.
White completed his hat-trick early in the second half before Nash struck twice to complete the scoring.
Despite the margin of victory, young Charlie Blunt made some fine saves in the Bay goal to prevent the visitors from narrowing the deficit.
Bay are away to Holcombe 5ths on Saturday.
Maidstone 6ths played two short against Herne Bay 4ths and paid the price as their hosts ran out 11-1 victors in Kent Open League Division 4.
Jay Newell scored five, with Dave White and Steve Malley claiming doubles. Lewis Quirke and Ashley Horwell were the other marksmen.
Bay travel to Sidcup to play Burnt Ash 7ths on Saturday.