90 Lousy Seconds

Herne Bay (1) 2
Kenny Sanders 34
Mark Lovell 69

Harrow Borough (1) 2
George Nicholas 17
Marc Charles-Smith 90

Buildbase FA Trophy 1st Round Qualifying
Saturday 29th October 2016
at The Altira Park Stadium, Winch's Field

Att: 195

(photo credit: Steve Barton - the Borough 'keeper lies frustrated as Lovell puts Bay ahead)

"I'm gutted to be honest, I should imagine the lads are feeling worse than me", said Herne Bay Manager Sam Denly, "it's a game we've dominated from start to finish and we've just got the draw".

Herne Bay were 90 lousy seconds away from booking their place in the 2nd Round qualifying of the FA Trophy when Charles-Smith rose unchallenged to head home Borough's equaliser and take this tie to a replay. This was a whole team performance from the Bay against the Ryman Premier side and they would have been full value for a win but must now face a daunting midweek trip. There was no sign of missing the recently departed duo as Bay rolled up their sleeves and put in a solid performance.

Ray Kelly writes: Ryman Premier leaguers Harrow Borough were very fortunate to leave the Altira Park Stadium, on Saturday,
with a 2-2 draw. In a cracking F.A.Trophy tie Herne Bay dominated for much of the game but a 93rd. minute equaliser for the Boro ensured a replay in Harrow on Tuesday night.

From the kick off both teams raided each others defences. Most of the attacking moves from Harrow seemed to come from the very tricky Michael Bryan and on 4 minutes only a good clearing header from Kenny Sanders prevented Bryan giving the visitors the lead. Herne Bay were also intent on attacking play and in the 10th minute Mark Lovell went close after a good cross from Kane Phillip. A minute later Danny Williams forced a good save from Luke Williams after a great solo run and shot that he tipped over the bar. It was against the run of play that Harrow opened the scoring in the 16th minute when a poor clearance from Jack Delo was headed into the path of George Nicholas who cut in and fired an unstoppable shot past Delo. Herne Bay started to regroup and slowly took charge of events and on 34 minutes a Danny Walder corner caused havoc in the Harrow defence before Kenny Sanders bundled the ball into the net. Three minutes later the Bay almost went into the lead when a Chris Elliot free kick,from 25 yards, skimmed the post with Luke Williams well beaten.

Herne bay took charge of the second half and only good defending from Harrow’s Nicholas and Michael Peacock kept Danny Williams and Mark Lovell from putting Bay in front. Both teams were creating chances and on 65 minutes Michael Bryan should have done better for Boro when he fired over with only Jack Delo to beat. Harrow were to rue that missed chance because four minutes later Herne Bay took the lead when Mark Lovell chased down a high ball and lobbed the advancing Luke Williams. On 78 minutes Boro’s Harry Newman missed the chance of the match when he fired over with an empty goal in front of him. Herne Bay continued to boss the game and looked likely to progress into the next round but with the game going into overtime Harrow Borough equalised when a deep cross evaded the Bay defence and Marc Charles –Smith headed in at the far post to take the game to a replay on Tuesday night at Harrow.

"We were outstanding today, we looked like the Ryman Premier side not them. I'm disappointed because you don't get many opportunities to progress in this cup and we've missed one there. I'm proud of every one of my players today, outstanding to a man", said Denly.

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Chris Elliott, Joe Nelder, Nathan Eastwood, Danny Walder, Kenny Sanders, Danny Williams, Mark Lovell, Kane Phillip (James Turner 81).

Subs not used: Josh Wood, Josh Algar, Toby Wood (only four subs named)

HBFCSA Man of the Match: Chris Elliott