Bay Up To 8th

Herne Bay (2) 2
King 10, Turner M 32

South Park (1) 1
Smith 9

at Winch’s Field

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Tuesday 9th September 2014.

Attendance: 156

by Ray Kelly

(photo credit: Herne Bay FC – MoM Michael Turner.)

A much improved team performance saw Herne Bay defeat a spirited South Park 2-1 at Winch’s Field on Tuesday night. Both teams settled down well from the kick off and played some entertaining football with both sets of forwards attacking at will. The first real chance fell to the Bay when Ben Brown’s hurried effort flew just over the crossbar and within 30 seconds Stuart King fired in against the post.

Herne Bay were stunned in the 9th minute when following a South Park free kick from Liam Whittell, Chris Smith waltzed through a static Bay defence to slot past Ben Kitcherside. This goal woke the Bay side up and in quick time they were level thanks to a great cross from Michael Turner who found King who in turn with some tricky footwork turned South Parks Daniel Guscott inside out before lobbing James Wastell.

Back came South Park and a minute later they were awarded a free kick 30yards out but Whittell’s shot was expertly saved by Ben Kitcherside. On 15 minutes Herne Bay lost Ben Brown through injury and he was replaced by Nathan Eastwood.

On 20 minutes Steven Ita could have done better when in acres of space he fired over the bar from close range. This game was going from end to end and a minute later the Park’s forward Dale Burgess cut in from the left and thundered in a shot that Kitcherside saved with aplomb, turning it round the post. Both Joe Nelder and Steven Ita went close in the 25th minute for the Bay and 5 minutes later Herne Bay took the lead when Michael Turner went on a mazy run before cutting
inside and thumping the ball high into the top left of the net with Wastell rooted to his goal line. Further chances fell to South Park before half time but Smith and Keiren Lavery failed to get the ball on target.

Elliot Cutts replaced Stuart King at half time through injury. From the kick off in the second half Herne Bay took control of the match surging forward at every opportunity. In the 51st minute Joe Nelder squandered a great chance when put through blasting high and wide and on 65 minutes he was unlucky to see his effort cleared off the goal line by Jack Higgins.

Both Managers made changes in the 67th minute with Jordan Casey replaced by Harry Brown and South Park replaced Whittell with Brad O’Connor and Chris Smith with Ryan Smith. Herne Bay continued to pile on the pressure James Wastell saved superbly from a Liam Quinn header and Joe Nelder was thwarted once again by a Wastell save in the dying seconds. At the final whistle another three points for the Bay and 8th place in the league.

Herne Bay: Ben Kitcherside , Michael Turner, Dan Johnson, James Brown, Liam Quinn, Connor Sanders, Joe Nelder, Ben Brown (Nathan Eastwood 14), Jordan Casey (Harry Brown 70), Stuart King (Elliott Cutts 50), Stephen Ita.

Subs Not Used: Sam Staunton, Jack Delo.

Man of the Match: Michael Turner (Herne Bay)