Clapton CFC left the seaside empty-handed after failing to take advantage of their early chances and bruised from a physical encounter.
CCFC started brightly with Maria Mendonca shooting narrowly wide twice while Marta Casanovas’ goal-bound effort was headed off the line. Aimee Shaw struck a shot that ricocheted off the post while Leigha Bradding-Butler beat the offside trap but dragged her effort just wide.
Then against the run of play, Herne Bay took the lead on 29 minutes. A corner caused a frantic scramble at the back post and the ball was eventually slotted in by Kira Curtis Howard. The hosts doubled their advantage shortly after, breaking down Clapton’s right and squaring to Hannah Baker at the far post to make it 2–0. Both goalscorers had recently signed from AFC Greenwich Borough.
Clapton’s line-up had been affected by some illness and injury before the game. A further blow came shortly before half time when Kaylee Shurety was left wiped out on the pitch for several minutes with a head injury after a rough challenge. That forced her to be substituted though thankfully she was able to eventually to get up and walk off.
Early in the second half, Bradding-Butler found herself in space in the box but her close range shot was saved. Our odds of a comeback were not helped when captain Emily Link was also forced off after a heavy tackle. Subsequently it was discovered she had broken her leg.
Late on, sub Sophie Ugur’s shot clipped the top of the bar and bounced away. However, Herne Bay defended doggedly – including a goalkeeper who was left limping and a defender who clattered into the goal post – to take all three points and avenge the 1-0 win for CCFC earlier in the season.