Final Away PSF ends in Defeat

Tilbury (0) 2
Richmond 58
Smith 70

Herne Bay (0) 1
Zanone 72

Pre Season Fixture
Saturday 23rd July 2016

at Chadfields

by Steve Barton

(photo credit: Steve Barton: Danny Walder's penalty is saved)

Few chances were made in a sweltering first period with the game coming to life after the break.

Tilbury took a two goal lead, which although the scoreline was undeserved both were fine moves, and then showed why pre-season matches are no longer called friendlies as some of their players resorted to some very dubious tactics which came to a head when Kane Phillip tried to extricate his shirt from the grasp of the opposition and a melee ensued. Referee Stuart Franklin took the sensible action of just talking to the guilty offenders.

Bay pulled a goal back when the Essex side’s keeper came out of his goal to clear, but only as far as Stuart Zanone, who lobbed into the net from fully 45 yards. Franklin was again called to intervene as Tilbury continued to niggle and when Zanone was brought down in the box the unthinkable happened. Danny Walder, with 20 penalty goals to his credit in three seasons with Herne Bay, saw his spot kick superbly saved for the second match in a row.

Three weeks to go to the start of the competitive season and, despite the loss, another step in the right direction.

Ray Kelly writes: On a sweltering hot Saturday afternoon, Herne Bay ventured into Essex to play a pre-season friendly against Tilbury F.C. The game that enfolded had just about everything, including 2 good goals and a Stuart Zanone cracker.

The game kicked off with an underlying edge to it with tackles flying in from both sides. The first real chance came in the tenth minute for Tilbury when Aitkin shot just wide after a cross from Smith. Sam Hasler ,Darren Marsden and Stuart Zanone soon got into the swing of things, testing the Tilbury defence but found Anderson and Pedder in the heart of the Tilbury defence in good form. Referee Mr .Stuart Franklyn made regular stops for the players to take on water due to the very hot conditions. There was nothing to choose between the teams during the first 45 minutes.

Tilbury started the second half on top with everything good coming from Spencer and Smith and were unlucky not to go ahead in the 53rd. minute when after a goal mouth scramble Richmond hit the post and the ball rebounded and away to safety. On 58 minutes Tilbury took the lead with a good strike from Richmond that fizzed past Jack Delo . Within two minutes the hot weather seemed to get to the players and a fracas ensued on the half way line.

Manager Sam Denly made changes on 61 minutes with Darren Marsden ,James Turner and Harry Brown all coming off for Adam Woolcott ,Kane Phillip and Sam Hallett. Tilbury also made several changes. On 70 minutes Tilbury increased their lead after Smith burst through the Bay defence and rifled past Jack Delo. Two minutes later Herne Bay reduced Tilbury’s lead. Stuart Zanone spotted Lee Butcher off his goal line and thumped the ball in from 45 yards, what a goal.He will surely become a crowd favourite at Winch’s Field.

Herne Bay were well on top, pushing for an equaliser and in the 85th minute Referee Franklyn awarded a penalty to the Bay after Zanone was brought down in the box. Danny Walders kick was well saved by Lee Butcher in the Tilbury goal.

This was a good run out for the Bay and all is looking good for the coming season.

Herne Bay squad: Jack Delo, Michael Turner Gary Sayer, Connor Sanders, Harry Brown, Joe Nelder, Danny Walder, Sam Hasler, Darren Marsden, James Turner, Stuart Zanone, Kane Phillip, Sam Hallett, Elliott Cutts, Adam Woolcott.