Bees Lasses Off To A Winning Start
BEES OFF TO WINNING START &&..
Gillingham LFC 1 Barnet FC Ladies 2
South East Combination League
Sunday 22 August 2004
At UKP Leisure Sports Ground, Sittingbourne
Barnet FC Ladies kicked off their South East Combination league programme on Sunday with a highly competent away win at Gillingham.
A goal in each half from Kerry O'Connor, celebrating her 50th first team appearance for the Bees, and Charlie Longuhaye contributed to a 2-1 win, which gave the team its first opening day success since joining forces with Barnet FC in 1998.
Kerry O'Connor Charlie Longuhaye
Both sides enjoyed a lively opening to the match and created chances to take the lead.Jess Devoti in the Barnet goal pulled off a superb full length save from Gina Payne after 10 minutes.Beth Curtis and Kerry O'Connor showed signs of forming an effective forward partnership.Curtis struck the frame of the Gillingham goal with a free kick from near the corner flag.
It was Barnet took the lead after 17 minutes.Curtis's chip from 18 yards left the home keeper stranded but rebounded off the crossbar.Fortunately for the Bees, O'Connor was on hand to steer the ball home.
Barnet had further chances to add to their advantage in the remainder of the first half.After 22 minutes, Curtis was played through on goal only, it appeared, to be brought down by the Gillingham goalkeeper.However, the referee waved play on.
Ten minutes later Kelly Hughes just failed to get a touch to Curtis's well driven cross.On the stroke of half time, a superb piece of individual skill from Hughes, who made an impressive debut in this match, resulted in a shot, which forced a save from Lesley Kay in the home goal.
Barnet started the second half as they had ended the first.Beth Curtis continued to be a constant threat and her deep cross from the right hand side narrowly evaded the far post and the incoming Kerry O'Connor.Vicky Dodds forced another good save from the home goalkeeper with a shot on the turn as the home side failed to clear a corner.
The Bees' increased their lead on the hour.They had constantly posed an aerial threat at corners through Annie Barratt, Charlotte Longuhaye and Vicky Dodds.On this occasion it was Longuhaye who met Curtis's corner kick to force the ball into the Gillingham net from close range.
The home side gave every indication that were not out of the game and after 73 minutes, Jess Devoti showed excellent anticipation with a superbly timed interception from an onrushing Gillingham forward.
Indeed Gillingham pulled a goal back on 77 minutes through Anna Broad who fired home from 12 yards.The goal was scant reward for Jess Devoti in the Barnet goal whose performance deserved a clean sheet.
However, any chance of the home side causing further problems and forcing an equaliser were effectively ended two minutes later when they were reduced to ten players, Sarah Kelly being sent off for foul and abusive language to a match official, after having been flagged off side.
It was a well-earned win for the Bees with excellent individual performances throughout the side.
Barnet: Jess Devoti; Hannah Grover, Charlotte Herson, Annie Barratt, Cerrie Byrne; Charlie Longuhaye, Vicky Dodds, Dannielle Richards, Kelly Hughes; Beth Curtis, Kerry O'Connor.
Substitutes: Donna McGuigan for Kerry O'Connor (57 mins), Becky Morrisson for Danielle Richards (68 mins).Not Used: Hayley Johnson and Amanda Clothier.
Goalscorers: O' Connor (17 mins), Longuhaye (60 mins).
Barnet FC Ladies plays its first home league fixture of the 2004/05 on Sunday 29 August 2004 when Bedford Town are the visitors to Hanwell Town FC.Kick-off for this South East Combination League fixture will be at 2.00pm.
