Romford V Herne Bay

Herne Bay concluded their pre-season campaign against Romford at Ship Lane,the home of Thurrock F.C.

Playing on a billiard table of a pitch Bay won 2-1 thanks to two late goals from Tom Bryant and Danny Williams.

Both teams produced some very good football in a match that could have gone either way but Bay side proved the stronger in the last 20 minutes.

For the first twenty minutes Rhys Lawson and George Landais tested out Romford's defence as did Romford's Isa and Oxby but both defences remained solid.

On 21 minutes Tom Bryant shocked the hosts with a thunderbolt shot from fully 40yds. that had the keeper scrambling across his goal to see the ball whistle wide of the post.

Romford started to get on top, being faster to the ball and forcing Bay battle hard to win the ball.

In the 25th minute Bay were indebted to Dan Eason who saved well from a snap shot from Paul Clayton. Further chances fell for Romford, from both Isa and Reynolds firing over when they looked likely to find the target. Back came Bay with Landais just missing following a free kick from Bryant.

Bay should have taken the lead on 40 minutes when Michael Turner surged down the right, played in Josh Sargeant who in turn crossed for Williams only to head over from 6yards out. Just on half time Romford's Isa, who was a constant threat, slipped through Bay's defence but a thundering tackle from Steven Lloyd prevented his shot on goal.
Joe Nelder and Dean Grant were then introduced into the game at fired straight at him in the 51st minute.

Over the next 15 minutes Romford pushed Bay back in their own half with Ottley and Senghore causing all sorts of problems and it was no surprise that they took the lead in the 65th minute when Senghore played through a great ball for Lewis to avoid Lloyd's challenge, to chip Eason.

For the last twenty minutes Bay searched hard for an equaliser and on 8o minutes following a corner, Lloyd at the far post, headed back across the goal for McGeehan to slam home from close range but was disallowed for an infringement by Lloyd spotted by the referee.

Two minutes later Romford almost increased their lead when a blistering shot from Senghore hit both posts before running out of play. This was the stroke of luck Bay needed and 5 minutes later they grabbed the equaliser. Following a Sargeant free kick Bryant rose above a static Romford defence to head home.

With their next attack Nelder running down the right sent over a great cross which was met by Williams and he powered a header home to secure the victory.

This was a a very entertaining game of football from both sides, played on a near to perfect pitch. For Herne Bay James Campbell, Joe Nelder and Steven Lloyd caught the eye as did Romford's Isa, Senghore and Ottley.