Swan's On Song

Herne Bay (0) 0

Walton & Hersham (0) 2
Reid 46, Hemmings 83

at Winch’s Field

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Saturday 23rd August 2014.

Attendance: 215

by Ray Kelly

(photo credit: Terry Kemp – Stephen Ita threads his way through two Walton & Hersham midfielders.)

Herne Bay’s inconsistency continued on Saturday losing 2-0 to Walton & Hersham. In the first half there was little to choose between the two sides but the second half was a nightmare for the Bay, they seemed incapable of playing as a team and were soundly beaten.

In the 7th minute the first chance fell to the Bay when the lively Steven Ita swivelled and shot only to see his effort fly just wide of the post. Three minutes later Dan Johnson was on hand to clear a shot off of the line from Walton’s Dominic Ogun. On 20 minutes Herne Bay forced a corner that was played short to Sam Hasler who crashed in a shot that Walton’s keeper, Gary Ross did well to tip over the bar.

A minute later Andrew Mensah fired in a free kick from 30 yards but the Herne Bay wall stood their ground well and the ball went safe. In the 25th minute Herne Bay thought they had scored when the Walton keeper dropped the ball and King scrambled the ball in but the goal was ruled out by the referee for a foul on the keeper. A further chance fell to Walton’s Tarome Hemmings, just before half time, but he fired straight at Jack Delo.

The second half started with Walton & Hersham on top and after only 2 minutes they went 1-0 up when Tony Reid cut in from the right and a lob cum shot left Jack Delo stranded as he watched the ball nestle in the top corner. The away side continued to put pressure on the Bay defence with Reid and Francis both going close.

On 60 minutes Stuart King made a good run down the left and crossed to Dan Parkinson but he fired high and wide from 15 yards. Sam Denly rang the changes on the hour in a bid to freshen up things, James Brown and Ben Brown made way for Joe Nelder and Jordan Casey. Herne Bay’s play continued to falter and it was no surprise that the visitors increased their lead when Tarome Hemmings burst through a static Herne Bay defence and slammed the ball past Jack Delo.

Herne Bay played out the final 10 minutes without threatening the Walton goal. Herne Bay face local rivals Faversham Town on Monday and must improve to avoid a derby defeat.

Herne Bay: Jack Delo , Michael Turner, Dan Johnson, James Brown (Joe Nelder 64), Liam Quinn, Nathan Eastwood, Samuel Hasler, Dan Parkinson (Sam Staunton 79), Ben Brown (Jordan Casey 64), Stuart King, Stephen Ita.

Subs Not Used: Harry Brown, Ben Kitcherside.