Bay Out Of Cup

Herne Bay (0) 0

Dartford (1) 3

Tom Bradbrook 14
Ben Francis 66
Becka-Kah Dembele 87 (pen)

Kent Senior Cup Quarter-Final
Tuesday 2nd February 2016

Att: 176

at The Altira Park Stadium, Winch's Field

(photo credit: krnmedia - Dartford open the scoring)

Herne Bay's interest in the Kent Senior Cup ended with defeat against Dartford and now, quite literally, allows Sam Denly to concentrate on maintaining the push for promotion via the play-offs.

Ray Kelly writes:

National League South Dartford paid Herne Bay the compliment of playing a near full strength side in this Kent Senior Cup tie. The scoreline flattered them as Bay matched them in most departments, except in finishing. With the game only 5 minutes old, Elliot Cutts attacked down the right flank and crossed a good ball in but Dan Parkinson failed to connect with the goal at his mercy. A minute later Bay had to defend a twice taken corner by George Sykes, Jack Delo eventually punched clear.

On 14 minutes Dartford opened the scoring when Tom Bradbrook poked in from close range after Herne Bay failed to clear a Jack Simmonds corner. Two minutes later Dartford were on the attack again with Sykes scooting down the left before crossing to Bradbrook who headed wide of the goal. Herne Bay were finding it hard to get behind the ‘Darts’ defence and were reduced to shooting from distance with James Turner and Dan Parkinson both having efforts well saved by Darren Ibrahim in the ‘Darts’ goal.

In the 30th minute Jack Delo did well to tip over a Tom Bradbrook header after a cross from Dembele. 5 minutes later it was Darren Ibrahim’s turn to save well following a Harry Brown free kick. Further half chances fell to Dembele and Barry Cogan as the ‘Darts’ pushed to increase the lead but it was the Bay who very nearly equalised when a rasping shot from Dan Parkinson was well saved by Ibrahim.

Herne Bay were first on the attack in the second half and on 47 minutes Dan Parkinson’s 40 yard free kick was expertly dealt with by Ibrahim who punched clear from the attentions of Liam Quinn. Two minutes later it was Jack Delo’s turn to shine , saving well from a Dembele free kick. In the 66th. minute the ‘Darts’ increased the lead when Ben Francis fired in from an acute angle following a cross
from Barry Cogan. Herne Bay pushed forward looking to reduce the arrears and following a Sam Hasler free kick Liam Quinn was just beaten to the ball by Ibrahim who punched clear. On 87 minutes Dartford went 3-0 up after Jack Delo was adjudged to have brought down Ben Francis in the area and Dembele blasted in.

Herne Bay played really well against a team two divisions higher than them and that must bode well for the play off run in.

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Dan Johnson, Liam Quinn, Connor Sanders, Harry Brown (Sam Hasler 53), Elliott Cutts, James Turner, Kane Phillip (Danny Williams 46), Dan Parkinson (Danny Walder 75).

Subs not used: Mark Lovell, Nathan Eastwood.

Dartford: Darren Ibrahim, Tom Gardiner, Mark Onyemah, Ronnie Vint, Callum McNaughton, Lee Noble (Tom Wynter 53), Becka-Kah Dembele, George Sykes Ben Francis 57), Tom Bradbrook, Barry Cogan, Jack Simmonds.

Subs not used: Ryan Hayes, Andy Pugh, Tony Coxall

Referee: Chris Myatt

Assistant Referees: Mike Marsh & Jak Hill