Bay An Inch Away From Trophy Win

Herne Bay (0) 1
Danny Williams 68

Walton Casuals (1) 1
Luke Medley 10

Attendance: 117

FA Challenge Trophy 1st Round Qualifying
Saturday 31st October 2015.
(at The Altira Park Stadium, Winch’s Field)

(photo credit: Steve Barton – Danny Williams scores Bay’s equaliser)

Herne Bay came within an inch of progressing at the first attempt, despite a poor first half, when Elliott Cutts’ drive came back off the inside of the post in stoppage time.

“I don’t think we were that bad first half but we weren’t as good as we should have been, that’s for sure”, said Herne Bay manager Sam Denly, “the second half we were outstanding and on a different day we would have come away comfortable winners”.

Ray Kelly writes: A good fight back in the second half of this F.A.Trophy match earned a replay for Herne Bay against
Walton Casuals. In a largely forgettable first half , the Bay struggled to come to terms with a speedy and determined Walton Casuals. Second half changes turned the game in the Bay's favour and could have quite easily won the tie with a little more luck.

From the outset , the speed of Casuals Nassim Dukali and John-Prince Rylah caused havoc with the Bay defence and Jack Delo was constantly picking high ball’s out of the air from the tricky wide men. On 10 minutes Herne Bay found themselves a goal down when Dukali sent over a good corner that found Luke Medley unmarked and a static Herne Bay defence could only watch as he smacked the ball past Jack Delo.

Three minutes later both Liam Quinn and Dan Johnson had to make goal line clearances to prevent Luke Medley and Jack Sammoutis adding to the score. A breakaway from Herne Bay almost resulted in an equaliser in the 17th. minute when Dan Johnson made ground down the left before crossing to James Turner who was dragged down by Max Fitzgerald but the Referee Mr. Dele Sotimrin turned down all appeals for a spot kick. This was the first of quite a few curious decisions made by the Ref. throughout the tie.

On 28 minutes Bay went close again ,following a series of corners from Sam Hasler, Danny Walder headed wide when well placed.
Walton Casuals continued to dominate , forcing the home side deep back in defence and were well worth the lead at half time.

Herne Bay started the second half in a more determined manor and on 48 minutes Dan Johnson played in Danny Williams who in turn crossed to Connor Sanders who headed over the bar from close range. Further chances fell to Sam Hasler and Dan Johnson over the next 15 minutes but neither could convert.

On 60 minutes Manager Sam Denly made changes that change the shape of the match , bringing on Kane Phillip and Elliot Cutts for Michael and James Turner. With fresh legs Herne bay started to force Casuals back into their own half. The pressure started to tell
on the Casuals defence and it was no surprise that the Bay restored parity when a great run from Joe Nelder ended with Danny Williams thumping the ball home. Herne Bay continued to create chance’s with Elliot Cutts and Sam Hasler both going close. In the 72nd. minute only a goal line clearance from Jake Nicholson prevented Liam Quinn from putting the Bay ahead. A rare Casuals breakaway in the 80th. minute form Luke Medley resulted in a bad miss from 10 yards, heading over the bar. Herne Bay’s final chance of the game fell to Elliot Cutts when he breezed through leaving defenders in his wake, before his final shot hit the upright and away to safety.

“Elliot was outstanding, he gets on the end of things and causes problems”, said Denly, “the second one was unlucky, he’s done everything right and he’s hit the inside of the post. That’s when you want the little bit of luck that we’re lacking at the moment. He’s a good player, he won’t play every week because he’s young, he’s a key player for us and if he can keep doing that then there’s exciting times ahead for him and the team”.

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner (Kane Phillip 64), Gary Sayer, Dan Johnson, Liam Quinn, Connor Sanders, Danny Walder, Joe Nelder, Danny Williams, James Turner (Elliot Cutts 60), Sam Hasler.

Subs not used: Nathan Eastwood, Georgio Russo, Harry Brown.

Sent Off: none Cautioned: Connor Sanders, Danny Williams, Danny Walder, Sam Hasler.

Walton Casuals: Tom Wellman, Liam Collins, Peter Wedgeworth, Jake Nicholson, Quincey Rowe, Max Fitzgerald, John-Prince Rylah (Dan Newman 73), Jack Sammoutis, Luke Medley, Scott Day, Nassim Dukali (Sam Bello-Balogun 73).

Subs not used: none (only two subs named).

Sent Off: None Cautioned: Jake Nicholson, John-Prince Rylah, Jack Sammoutis.

Referee: Dele Sotimirin Assistant Referees: Valentine Anekwe & David Lunani.

Man of the Match: Elliot Cutts (Herne Bay)