Bay go nap against Nuts and Bolts

Herne Bay (3) 5
Danny Walder (2 pens)
Danny Williams
Stuart Zanone
Sam Hasler

Ashford United (2) 2

Pre Season Fixture
at The Altira Park Stadium, Winch's Field

Saturday 30th July 2016

Attendance: 151

by Steve Barton

(photo credit: Peter Guise - Danny Walder scores his second penalty of the afternoon)

Herne Bay blew away Southern Counties East Ashford United with an ever-improving display that suggests that Bay will perform better in the Ryman South than their visitors will in the feeder league. Danny Walder atoned for his previous penalty misses with two well taken spot kicks and Ashford scored from the third penalty of the first period. Danny Williams, Stuart Zanone and Sam Hasler all also found the net which augers well for the fast-approaching start to the competitive season.

Ray Kelly writes: Herne Bay welcomed back to Winch’s Field our old rivals Ashford United for our 2nd. P.S.F.last Saturday. From the kick off both teams defences were put under extreme pressure for the first 30 minutes and it was no surprise at the 3-1 score line after the half hour.

Ashford had the first real chance on 5 minutes when Paul Booth’s header was well saved by Jack Delo. A minute later Herne Bay took the lead from the penalty spot after Stuart Zanone was brought down in the box. Danny Walder slammed home the ball past Olli Macleod . Bay started to swarm all over the ‘Nuts and Bolts’ and on 10 minutes they doubled the lead when a cracking cross from Sam Hasler was met by Danny Williams who thumped in. Within 3 minutes Ashford had pulled a goal back once again from the penalty spot, when Connor Sanders was adjudged to have handled the ball. The evergreen Paul Booth hammered past Delo. Chances were coming thick and fast for both sides with Rory Hill shooting wide when well placed and Mark Lovell and Georgio Russo both going close for the Bay. On 35 minutes Stuart Zanone was clattered to the ground in the box and a penalty was yet again ordered, Danny Walder scored again. With half time looming Rory Hill escaped his marker in the Bay penalty area and flicked in past Jack Delo at the near post. Just before the h/t whistle Sam Hasler was denied another goal by Olli Macleod who saved well.

At half time Toby Wood replaced Jack Delo in the Herne Bay goal. Within a minute of the kick off Herne Bay went further ahead when Darren Marsden played a good ball into the path of Stuart Zanone who flicked the ball over Macleod to make it 4-2. On 53 minutes Tassar Hassan had a good chance to pull a goal back for Ashford but fired over when well placed. Both teams made changes on the hour mark. On 70 minutes good inter play between Georgio Russo and Sam Hallett set up Sam Hasler who’s thunderous shot hit the Ashford cross bar. Two minutes later the Ashford cross bar was struck again this time by Danny Walder. Late in the game young goal keeper Toby Wood showed his worth by bringing off two good saves to deny Lavender and Seagul. On 87 minutes Sam Hasler went on a mazy run through the Ashford defence before slamming the ball in.

This was a good run out for the Bay with impressive performances from Connor Sanders , Georgio Russo and Toby Wood. This all bodes well for the coming season and could give Manager Sam Denly selection problems with so many players in good form, nice problem to have though.

Herne Bay squad: Jack Delo, Giorgio Russo, Connor Sanders, Gary Sayer, Joe Nelder, Danny Walder, Darren Marsden, Mark Lovell, Sam Hasler, Danny Williams, Stuart Zanone, Tony Wood, Michael Turner, James Turner, Harry Brown, Sam Hallett.