Hero Delo

Hemel Hempstead Town (0) 1
Graeme Montgomery 77

Herne Bay (1) 1
Mark Lovell 24

Emirates FA Cup 2nd Round Qualifying
Saturday 17th September 2016
At Vauxhall Road

Att: 320

(Photo credit: Steve Barton - Mark Lovell - centre, falling - puts Bay ahead).

"I'm really proud of the lads today, we've come up here against a higher league side and we've been outstanding", said a delighted Herne Bay manager Sam Denly.

Jack Delo produced two top stops in the first half and pulled off a second half penalty save to bring Conference South Hemel Hempstead Town back to Winch's Field for a replay on Tuesday evening. It was no less than Sam Denly's patched up Bay deserved and they might have snatched a memorable win but for the Tudors' equaliser 13 agonising minutes from time.

Ray Kelly writes: Herne Bay so nearly caused a major upset in this 2nd.Qual round of the F.A.Cup at Vauxhall Road, home of
Hemel Hempstead Town. With the Bay leading 1-0 until the 77th minute when a deflected shot ended up in the back of the Bay’s net saved the ‘Tudors’ blushes . Herne Bay fought a great rear guard action with every Bay player wearing the mantle of Hero and non more so than Jack Delo who made save after save , including saving an 82nd minute penalty to bring the replay to Winch’s Field on Tuesday night.

The Tudors were rampant from the kickoff and left Herne Bay chasing shadows with Sam Corcoran and Matt Saunders putting the Herne Bay defence to the test but Mark Lovell and Joe Nelder remained solid. Bay settled after the first 15 minutes and looked good on the counter attack with Stuart Zanone and James Turner unsettling the Tudors defence. Against the run of play, Herne Bay took the lead on 24 minutes when a 40yard free kick from Danny Walder was back headed by Stuart Zanone to find Mark Lovell, lurking,and he slid the ball home. For the rest of the half Hemel Hempstead surged forward looking for an equaliser but great defensive work kept
them at bay, Jack Delo was called on time after time to make saves from Lewis Taaffe and Jack Potton. On 37 minutes, on a counter attack, Herne Bay nearly made it 2-0 but the Tudors England ‘C’ goalkeeper, Jamie Butler some how got his feet to a Danny Williams effort. Just before the half time whistle Hemel’s Jon McNamara lashed in a good shot but Jack Delo took the ball.

The second half started with the ‘Tudors’ swarming all over the Bay and had the ball in the net only to see it ruled out for off side. A minute later Jack Delo was equal to a Matt Saunders shot from the edge of the box. On 53 minutes Hemel Hempstead replaced Michael Richens with Mitchell Weiss. Further chances fell to James Potten and Oliver Thorne but were wayward in their shooting.
Herne Bay were weathering the storm against a constant barrage with the whole team contributing well. A double change was made by the ‘Tudors’ in the 67th. minute with Graeme Montgomery and James Kaloczi replacing Jon McNamara and James Potton. On 73 minutes Jack Delo saved well from a Lewis Taaffe shot. The Bay defence were finally beaten in the 77th. minute when a free kick was cleared by Joe Nelder but the ball fell to Graeme Montgomary who fired in a shot that was deflected past Jack Delo.

Hemel Hempstead pushed forward looking for the winner and once again it was Jack Delo who prevented Aaron Hayden from scoring with a great low save. On 82 minutes Sam Corcoran fell over in the box and much to every ones surprise Referee Mr. Robbie Dadley pointed to the spot . Up stepped Sam Corcoran but his kick was expertly saved by Jack Delo. For the final 8 minutes Herne Bay's goal resembled the ‘Alamo’ with the whole team throwing themselves in front of the ball.

Hemel Hempstead will be dreading the replay at Winch’s Field on Tuesday night. The people of Herne Bay can be very proud of their football team after a great display from every one of them. Well done Lads.

"We've got to take a lot of confidence from this today, if we compete like that in the replay it's 90 minutes of football, we've got a great dressing room, a great bunch of lads and what a great football club we've got", exclaimed Denly.

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Josh Wood, Joe Nelder, Mark Lovell, Adam Woolcott, Danny Walder, Danny Williams, James Turner (Kane Phillip 77), Stuart Zanone (Sam Hallett 90), Sam Hasler.

Subs not used: Toby Wood, Casey Tucker, Kobina Bernasko

Herne Bay Man of the Match: Jack Delo

Note: the scheduled league game at home to Sittingbourne will be rearanged for a future date.