Last Gasp Win for Oystermen

Manager Sam Denly had given his squad an extra week off after a gruelling last season, writes award winning match programme editor Steve Barton, but insisted that they return fully fit and ready for action and even organised some extra ‘voluntary’ sessions. In the first pre-season friendly Bay came up against Whitstable Town in the Bruce Smith Shield. The Oystermen had already had one outing so far, a 1-0 defeat to Ryman Premier Whitehawk, three days previously.

With Joe Kennett (in the Whitstable squad) and Dean Grant (having moved on to Faversham Town), James Turner and Sam Hasler both injured and Jordan Casey on trial at Maidstone United there was a mix of mainly old and some new faces. Bay started with new signings Liam Quinn and Dan Johnson in defence, Kent Schools’ goalkeeper Ben Kitcherside between the sticks and trialists Kyle Wisker, returning from playing College football in America, and Sam Staunton, a Canterbury City player last term.

The opening exchanges went to the Bay with Kane Butler, Ben Brown, Stuart King and Liam Quinn all having attempts at Luke Watkins’ goal. On the half hour came the moment that changed the game. The man in the middle, Nolan Wilde, failed to agree with Bay protests of a foul and with Jake Mackenzie, only one of three Whitstable Town players left from last season, rolling theatrically on the ground King launched a 15 yard half volley which hit Mackenzie on the back of the head. Whether King deliberately kicked the ball at the player or was just returning it to the place of the infringement only Stuart knows. Wilde made his own mind up and showed King a straight red when the sensible decision in a friendly would have been a yellow or a request to the Herne Bay bench for a substitution. Stuart King is now likely to miss the first three games of the season. Danny Walder, returning from his time at Tonbridge Angels, joined the fray in the closing stages of the first period.

With the half ending in a stalemate a string of substitutions followed. Kitcherside, who had an excellent first 45 minutes, was replaced by Jack Delo. On came Harry Brown, Michael Turner, Nathan Eastwood, Joe Nelder, Alex Hossick (ex-Whitstable), Jordan Wells (ex-Lordswood and Whitstable) and James Brown (ex-Gillingham Youth, son of Bay Legend Neil, Serie ‘C’ semi-professional).

Whitstable’s numerical advantage saw them push forward but the Bay defence was resolute and with the clock ticking down and penalties looking a certainty for the third season in a row, ex-Bay youth player Tom Loynes swung in a corner on 89 and Aaron James headed home for the Oystermen.

A good workout for the team, even if the result did not go the right way, and a chance for Sam Denly to assess the trialists who all acquitted themselves well.

Herne Bay squad used: Ben Kitcherside, Jack Delo, Gary Sayer, Connor Sanders, Liam Quinn, Dan Johnson, Sam Staunton, Ben Brown, Kyle Wisker, Kane Butler, Stuart King, Jamie O’Connell, Danny Walder, Harry Brown, Michael Turner, Nathan Eastwood, Joe Nelder, Alex Hossick, Jordan Wells, James Brown.