Bay Win at The Belmont

Whitstable Town 1
Stuart King

Herne Bay 2

Stuart Zanone
Joe Nelder

Pre Season Fixture
Tuesday 20th July 2016
at The Belmont

by Steve Barton

(photo: HBFC Library Photos - Joe Nelder scored the winner against Whitstable)

Bay’s pre-season is back on track after a workman-like victory in oppressive heat at relegated Whitstable Town. Dan Eason superbly saved Danny Walder’s penalty but Stuart Zanone was on hand to score his first goal in a Bay shirt. Stuart King levelled for the Oystermen when his 20-yard free-kick took a deflection past Jack Delo and with the clock ticking down Sam Hasler put Joe Nelder through to drive past Eason to give Herne Bay a first pre-season win.

Positive signs of what could be to come.

Ray Kelly writes: At short notice Herne Bay took the short trip to the Belmont on Tuesday night to play Whitstable in a P.S.F. as usual the bragging rights were up for grabs. With the Bay winning 2-1 we all left there with smiles on our faces.

Both teams fielded strong sides for the first 60 minutes and it must be said that Herne Bay looked the stronger in that period.
The game kicked off at quite a quick pace with both teams attacking at every moment. Whitstable forced the first corner after only 4 minutes. On 10 minutes a Danny Walder free kick from 30 yards stung the hands of former Bay custodian Dan Eason. In the 13th minute Sam Hasler’s run through the Oyster’s was brought to a sudden halt, tackled from behind in the box. The Referee pointed to the spot. Danny Walder fired in to the top corner but Dan Eason managed to palm it out only for Stuart Zanone to blast the rebound in the net.

For the next 20 minutes the Bay pushed forward with Sam Hasler, Darren Marsden and Stuart Zanone all linking up well and only good defending by Joe Kennett and Callum Wraight prevented any further score. Whitstable had a good chance on 30 minutes when Craig Thompson headed well over the bar when well placed. Further chances fell to Stuart Zanone and Joe Nelder but the Herne Bay pair couldn’t find a way past Dan Eason.

Two minutes after kick off in the second half Stuart Zanone and Joe Nelder linked up well down the right and forced a corner, Danny Walder’s cross was met by Harry Brown who headed just over the bar. Many changes were made after 60 minutes with the Bay giving run outs to Danny Williams, Kane Phillip, Keiron Owen, Sam Hallett and Joe Halford.

On 75 minutes Whistable restored parity when a Stuart King free kick found the back of the Bay’s net. Elliot Cutts came on for the last 10 minutes. Joe Nelder burst down the right wing, cut in and thumped a low hard shot past Dan Eason who was grasping. Whitstable almost got back into the game on 87 minutes when a Craig Thompson free kick on the edge of the box was well held by Jack Delo.

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