Sam's Screamers Sink Ashford

Herne Bay (0) 3
Mark Lovell 68
Sam Hasler 82, 90

Ashford Town (Middx) (1) 1
Max Herbert 8

Emirates FA Cup 1st Round Qualifying
Saturday 3rd September 2016
at The Altira Park Stadium, Winch's Field

Attendance: 217

(photo credit: Steve Barton: Mark Lovell glances Connor Sanders long throw past the 'keeper to get Bay level).

"I can explain the first half and I explained it pretty graphically to the lads at half time", said Herne Bay manager Sam Denly, "we had a game plan today and we didn't do it and found ourselves 1-0 down at half time because of that and that wasn't good enough, we were much better second half and turned the game round".

It took a step up in performance in the second half from Herne Bay to overturn a one goal first half deficit to progress in the FA Cup. Max Herbert had given the visitors an early lead and Bay had no answer to Ashford's bustling first half pace. But after the interval, the home side turned the game on its head. A Mark Lovell header drew the Ryman One South side level and two screamers in the final eight minutes from Sam Hasler sent the home fans home happy and the Treasurer smiling at the winners' cheque.

Ray Kelly writes (will appear here)

"Second half we played a lot in their half, camped in their 18 yard box and because of that we got our rewards. Overall I'm pleased. All in all, it's a good team effort and we're pleased to be in the next round. Sam Hasler is probably the best player in the league, when he's on fire he's untouchable.I always felt that if we got the equaliser we would go on and win the game", said Denly.

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Joe Nelder, Adam Woolcott (James Turner 59), Liam Quinn, Connor Sanders, Danny Walder, Danny Williams (Georgio Russo 77), Mark Lovell, Stuart Zanone (Sam Hallett 90), Sam Hasler.

Subs not used: Kane Phillip, Toby Wood.

Man of the Match: Sam Hasler