Majestic King as Bay Win Derby

Herne Bay (1) 2
King 34
Walder 89 (pen)

Sittingbourne (0) 0

at Winch’s Field

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Saturday 15th November 2014.

Attendance: 206

by Ray Kelly

(photo credit: Steve Barton – Herne Bay on the attack v Sittingbourne)

Herne Bay’s rich vein of form continued with a well earned 2-0 win against a well-drilled Sittingbourne side. In tricky conditions and with a mist fast descending the match was settled with a superb Stuart King goal and a penalty by Danny Walder.

Bay started the game slowly and soon found themselves on the back foot but the defence remained solid. Herne Bay had the ball in the net in the 15th minute but Danny Williams’ effort was ruled off side. Two minutes later the Brickies’ Brett Milham squandered a great chance to put his side ahead shooting wide when well placed. A minute later Danny Williams’ solo effort was cleared off the goal line by Sittingbourne’s Matt Harden.

Further chances fell to Sam Hasler and Joe Nelder before the Bay took the lead in the 34th minute following a Sittingbourne free kick. Jack Delo collected the ball and with a monster kick upfield found Stuart King in space where he controlled and fired in from 30 yards, catching the Brickies’ goalkeeper, Sean Bazell, slightly off his line and the ball flew into the top corner. On 35 minutes following a Sittingbourne corner, Ole Bankole should have levelled the score but he headed wide when well placed. Within a minute the Bay surged forward and Sam Hasler saw his effort pushed round the post by Bazell.

Within 5 minutes of the restart Sittingbourne spurned another good chance to square the game when Matt Harden headed wide once again from close in. In the 55th minute Danny Parkinson flew down the left wing before crossing to find Stuart King who flicked in but Bazell pulled off a great save to thwart him. Sittingbourne brought off Ellie Kayembe in favour of Jo Nwoko in the 56th minute, this move injected more pace to the Brickies’ front line but the Bay defence remained resolute.

Herne Bay also made changes bringing on Ben Brown and Steven Ita for Joe Nelder and Stuart King and started to get on top with Ita buzzing down the right and he should have doubled the lead when after rounding the keeper he somehow shot wide with an empty goal in front of him . On 80 minutes Hicham Akhassan also missed an easy chance for Sittingbourne when he also shot wide when handily placed, this was Hicham’s last kick in the game, he was replaced by Ellis Izokun.

In the last minute Danny Parkinson burst through the Brickies defence but was hauled down by Bazell in the Sittingbourne goal, the referee pointed to the spot, and up stepped Danny Walder to smash the ball in.

This was a good win for the Bay and it cements the mid-table position. The defence was in superb form throughout the game.

“We’re finally getting to where we want to be as a team, it wasn’t going to be an overnight thing”, said Herne Bay manager Sam Denly, “win or lose we do it together, there’s a real togetherness in the dressing room. We’ve been outstanding, we fully deserved the win again today.”

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Dan Johnson, Liam Quinn, Dan Parkinson, Danny Walder, Joe Nelder (Steven Ita 72), Danny Williams, Stuart King (Ben Brown 72), Sam Hasler (Harry Brown 90).

Subs Not Used: Nathan Eastwood, Jordan Casey.

Cautions: Danny Williams, Liam Quinn. Sent Off: None

Man of the Match: Dan Parkinson (Herne Bay)

Referee: Philip Rowley Assistants: Richard Butler & Adam Steele.