Kent Ladies Defeated In Ten Goal Thriller With Royal Navy!
Kent Ladies Defeated In Ten Goal Thriller with Royal Navy!
Kent FA Ladies 3 - 7 Royal Navy FA
The Kent FA Ladies suffered a 7-3 defeat against Royal Navy in their final group match in this Season’s Southern Counties Cup at a very chilly Chatham Town FC last night.
With the chance of topping the table a long shot after their defeat against Sussex back in November, the opportunity was there to finish second if they could overcome the Navy. Kent were able to name a 15 strong squad but got off to a bad start as they fell behind in just the 4th minute as the visitors came out of the blocks with a fast start. Further chances came for Navy with Natalie Bavister shooting wide and Anthea Kaptein going even closer as she struck the bar all within the opening ten minutes. The Navy doubled their lead in the 12th minute courtesy of Rosie McDonnell as Kent struggled to get a foothold in the game.
Kent’s first effort in the game came in the 16th minute as Rebecca Wyatt saw her effort saved by Louise Worsold in the Navy goal. Kent Captain Amy Russ then struck a free kick inches over the bar before Navy then extended their lead on 23 minutes through Ciara Boylan. Kent defender Natasha Moloney was then forced off with a Hamstring Injury forcing a defensive re-shuffle. There then followed a crazy spell of 3 goals in 4 minutes, Kent getting a goal to reduce the deficit to 3-1 when Rachel Stevens netted from close range only for Navy to go straight up the other end and restore their three goal advantage with Anthea Kaptein grabbing her second goal of the night. Amy Russ saw her long range effort land on the roof of the net and just a minute later Rebecca Wyatt scored for Kent to leave the score at 4-2 to the Navy at Halftime.
Into the second half and Kent started well putting the visiting defence under pressure but couldn’t get the goal their play deserved and they paid the price on 51 minutes as Navy extended their lead to 5-2 with a goal from Ciara Boylan who scored her second of the night. Kent didn’t let their heads drop and again it was Captain Amy Russ leading the way and she came close to scoring but her rasping drive flew inches over the bar and moments later substitute Mika Keen saw her effort cleared off the line as Kent mounted pressure on the visiting defence. This pressure paid off on 70 minutes as the score was reduced to 5-3 with Megan Burrows coming off the bench to score. Any hopes of a dramatic comeback were dented on 73 minutes as Navy extended their lead to 6-3 as Ciara Boylan completed her hat trick and the Navy added a seventh goal in stoppage time through Natalie Bovister to complete a 7-3 victory.
An entertaining match for the neutral which saw the Navy prove more clinical in front of goal and claim the three points. Speaking after the match, Manager Dwayne Ellis said “I’m pleased with the effort everyone put in, they all gave 100% and in the end it was a case of as soon as we got a sniff of getting back into the game we conceded again giving us an uphill task”.
Kent FA Ladies Squad: Keisha Lemar (Thamesview FC), Jade Tinsley (Phoenix Sports FC), Alison Draper (Aylesford FC), Katie Waters (Aylesford FC), Yasmin Howard (Ashford Ladies FC), Natasha Moloney (Kent Football United FC), Rachel Stevens (Kent Football United FC), Katie Stokely (Ashford Ladies FC), Amy Russ © (Kent Football United FC), Becky Mackley (Tonbridge Angels Ladies FC), Rebecca Wyatt (Ashford Ladies FC), Elizabeth Waldie (Kent Football United FC), Mika Keen (Phoenix Sports FC), Darcey Charlesworth (Dartford Ladies FC), Megan Burrows (Kent Football United FC).
For more information about Kent Representative Football, please contact Matt Dixon (Football Services Officer - Competitions) on Matthew.Dixon@KentFA.com or on 01622 791850.