Butler Bags Bay Bounty

Herne Bay (1) 2
King 45 (p), Butler 90

Horsham (1) 1
Nwacukwu 28 (p)

at Winch’s Field

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Saturday 6th September 2014.

Attendance: 244

by Ray Kelly

(photo credit: Steve Barton – Stuart King watches Butler's last minute winner cross the line.)

Herne Bay’s blushes were spared by Kane Butler’s 90th minute goal after coming on in the 85th minute. This win against 10 man Horsham was more than fortunate in a game the Bay could have easily lost.

Both teams started playing some good football in the opening 15 minutes but as the first half progressed the more sloppy Herne Bay got. The first chance fell to the Bay in the 5th minute when Nathan Eastwood surged through only for Byron Napier to get in a last ditch tackle to clear the ball. On 10 minutes Horsham’s Harry Smith went on a long run before shooting but Ben Kitcherside
saved well taking the ball high. Both teams were cancelling each other out in mid field with Napier and Bays Dan Parkinson having a battle royal.

The deadlock was broken in the 25th minute when Nathan Eastwood brought down Harry Smith in the Bay’s penalty area the Referee pointed to the spot and Tony Nwacukwu made no mistake. Herne Bay were getting very sloppy as the Horsham forwards piled forward looking to double the lead and on 40 minutes they should have when Tom Gilbert headed over from close range. Just on half time Herne Bay restored parity when Horsham’s Glen Woodburn brought down Dan Parkinson in the area ,the referee then sent off Woodburn and awarded a penalty. Up stepped Stuart King to bury the ball past Gareth Williams.

Horsham started the second half the better and on 50 minutes Lewis Hamilton’s cross was met by Harry Smith but he blazed wide from close range.The man reduction kicked in and the Bay were able to push forward with King and Brown both missing chances ,but Horsham looked dangerous on the counter attack. Further chances fell to Dan Parkinson and Steven Ita but neither could convert.

In the 86th minute Kane Butler replaced Steven Ita, this proved to be an inspired substitution
because after a good run, Dan Parkinson squared the ball to Kane Butler who coolly placed the ball past the Horsham Keeper.

A win is a win but it must be said the Bay were lucky this week, but that’s football.

Herne Bay: Ben Kitcherside , Michael Turner (Jordan Casey 62), Dan Johnson, Nathan Eastwood, Liam Quinn, Connor Sanders, Dan Parkinson, Ben Brown, Stephen Ita (Kane Butler 85), Stuart King, Sam Staunton (Joe Nelder 62).

Subs Not Used: Harry Brown, James Brown.

Man of the Match: Stuart King (Herne Bay)