Unbeaten in Four

Walton & Hersham (0) 1
James Cottee 68

Herne Bay (0) 1
Joe Nelder 51

at Stompond Lane

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Tuesday 27th January 2015

Attendance: 75

by Ray Kelly

(photo: respect handshake)

Herne Bay travelled to Walton & Hersham and extended their unbeaten run to four games with a 1-1 draw. Playing without three key players (Jack Delo, Danny Williams and Ben Brown) Bay put in a good shift with Ben Kitcherside having a solid game in goal.

Herne Bay were quickly out of the blocks and on 2 minutes Michael Turner’s darting run and cross found Man of the Match Harry Brown who fizzed in a good shot just wide. As in the previous matches of late the Bay’s defence was superbly marshalled by Liam Quinn and Herne Bay looked very dangerous on the counter attack.

On 12 minutes after a good jinking run down the left, Steven Ita was brought crashing down, some 40 yards out. Nathan Eastwood’s free kick was saved well by ’keeper Gary Ross. The Swans started to question the Bay defence with several good runs by Dominic Ogun down the left that resulted in a couple of corners but Ben Kitcherside plucked both out of the air with aplomb.

On 25 minutes Mark Lovell’s snap shot from distance bounced off of the cross bar with Swans’ keeper Gary Ross well beaten. Walton’s best chance came in the 36th minute when Anthony Oaks crossed a great ball to Dylan Cascoe who headed over from close in. Two minutes later Ben Kitcherside did well to save another Cascoe shot.

The second half started at a frantic pace with both sides putting in some crunching tackles and it was no surprise that Nathan Daly was booked for a lunge at Liam Quinn, to be fair the Walton manager took him off, replacing him with Tarome Hemmings a minute later.

In the 51st minute Sam Hasler chased down a loose ball before crossing into a crowded area and Joe Nelder bundled the ball over the line to put the Bay in the lead. Within a minute Walton & Hersham almost restored parity when Dylan Cascoe’s snap shot was well saved by Ben Kitcherside. Back came the Bay with a Harry Brown effort equally well saved by Gary Ross. But on 68 minutes the Swans did level with a great run and shot by James Cottee that gave Ben Kitcherside no chance.

Bay continued to push forward for the winner but the Swans’ defence held firm. This point cemented 8th position and an outside chance of the play offs.

Herne Bay: Ben Kitcherside , Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Nathan Eastwood, Liam Quinn, Harry Brown, Sam Hasler (James Brown 90), Joe Nelder, Mark Lovell, Stuart King (Jordan Casey 75), Steven Ita (Elliot Cutts 77).

Subs Not Used: Daniel Johnson, James Turner.

Cautions: Jordan Casey Sent Off: none

Man of the Match: Harry Brown

Referee: Shaun Scott Assistants: Luis Pinto Nunes & Shaun Farrer.