Awayday Point

Carshalton Athletic (0) 0

Herne Bay (0) 0

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Saturday 9th August 2014
At Colstan Avenue

Attendance: 183

by Ray Kelly

(photo credit: Steve Barton)
- Joe Nelder (left of picture) sees his close range effort saved at the foot of the Carshalton post.

Herne Bay’s opening league fixture of the season ended goalless at Carshalton, last season’s relegated Premier League side. This was a creditable performance from the Bay side who were missing several key players due to injury. Both teams lacked punch up front but both were solid in defence.

In the opening 10 minutes chances fell to Stuart King. who was just off target with a cheeky chip after spotting the robins keeper off of his goal line and Tom Bradford who forced Bay’s keeper Jack Delo into a good save low down to his left. On 17 minutes Joe Nelder was fouled on the edge of the Robin’s box, Stuart King’s free kick rebounded off the wall and fell to Jordan Casey whose shot was blatantly elbowed away but referee Mr. Davies waved play on.

Carshalton’s Jordon Higgs and Tom Bradford both had efforts thwarted by Liam Quinn and Connor Sanders in the 24th/25th minutes and on 26 minutes a great ball from James Brown played in Stuart King but his shot was well saved by Jack Eden in the Robin’s goal. The game was getting bogged down in mid field and chances were becoming a premium. Just before the break Carshalton had their best chance of the half when Tom Bradford fired in a good shot that Jack Delo did well to turn round the post.

At the start of the second half Carshalton brought on Jason Henry for Bobby Price and this move had an immediate impact. On 49 minutes following a foul on Joe Nelder, Stuart King’s free kick was headed onto the post by Jordan Casey from 3 yards, the rebound bouncing off Jack Eden’s head for a corner.

The Robin’s started to get on top with Jason Henry controlling mid field and on 55 minutes he fired over the bar after a good solo run. Three minutes later the same player saw his effort cleared off the line by Connor Sanders. Both managers made changes in the 60th minute with Danny Walder going off for Michael Turner and the Robin’s manager replacing Bobby Price and Dane Moore with Rob Carrick and Paris Hamilton-Downes. Both team spurned some good chances before the 90 minutes were up.

Herne Bay:

Jack Delo, Dan Johnson, Gary Sayer, Nathan Eastwood, Liam Quinn, Connor Sanders, James Brown, Joe Nelder (Stephen Ita 74), Danny Walder (Michael Turner 60), Stuart King, Jordan Casey.

Subs not used: Ben Kitcherside, Harry Brown, Kane Butler.

Man of the Match: Joe Nelder