Seven Unbeaten & Up To Seventh

Herne Bay (2) 2
Nat Blanks (og) 29
Mark Lovell 37

Folkestone Invicta (1) 2
Jon Pilbeam 7, 56

at Winch’s Field

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Saturday 21st February 2015.

Attendance: 362

by Ray Kelly

(photo credit: Steve Barton – Mark Lovell fires the Bay ahead.)

“I kind of feel it was a game we could have won being 2-1 up at half time”, said Bay manager Sam Denly, “we really showed a lot of character and played some great stuff on a very heavy pitch, we were full value for the point.”

With most Ryman League matches off due to heavy overnight rain, Herne Bay’s Winch’s Field was deemed playable after two pitch inspections by the match referee Mr.Phillip Rowley. Many thanks must go to Peter Guise and Jim Bubb for all the hard work put into the ground to get this game against Folkestone Invicta played. Well done Lads.

The game itself was a cracker with both teams giving 100% in this Kent Derby on a very tricky pitch. In front of a near 400 crowd both teams attacked from the start. The first chance fell to the Bay when Michael Turner surged down the right and crossed only for Invicta’s keeper Tim Roberts to smother the ball at the second attempt. Four minutes later Mark Lovell saw his effort strike the
post and away to safety ,Steven Ita providing the service.

In the 7th minute it was Invicta’s turn to shine when Jon Pilbeam darted down the right flank before cutting inside and fired in low and hard to beat Jack Delo at the far post. With a goal up Folkestone started to force the Herne Bay side back deep and for 20 minutes they ran the show but the Bay defence remained solid with Liam Quinn, Gary Sayer and Jack Delo all playing there part well. In this period Jack Delo thwarted Jon Pilbeam.,Ian Draycott and Richard Atkins from adding to the score.

Against the run of play, it must be said, Herne Bay restored parity when a Sam Hasler corner, fired hard and low was sliced in the Invicta goal by full back Nat Blanks, giving the Invicta ‘keeper Tim Roberts no chance. This goal spurred the Herne Bay side on as they gradually took control of the mid field and it was no surprise that the Bay took the lead in the 37th minute when Michael Turner chased down a loose ball down the right before crossing a peach of a ball that found Mark Lovell who headed in with aplomb.

With half time looming Jon Pilbeam should have equalised but his shot went well wide of the target much to the relief of Jack Delo.

The second half started with the Bay on top and on 50 minutes Mark Lovell was unlucky to see his shot just graze the post. Two minutes later Steven Ita forced a twice taken corner that the Invicta keeper was lucky to hold on to. On 56 minutes Folkestone equalised when a long clearance from Liam Friend was picked up by Jordan Wright who scooted down the right before crossing an inch perfect ball to Jon Pilbeam who in turn slotted past Jack Delo.

The game was going from end to end and on 60 minutes Mark Lovell had the ball in the net but it was ruled off side. Back came Folkestone with efforts from Pilbeam and Wright that Jack Delo snuffed out. On 65 minutes Steven Ita was unlucky to see his shot superbly saved by Tim Roberts. Over the next 10 minutes Manager Sam Denly rang the changes ,bringing on Danny Spiller for Sam Hasler, Stuart King for Nat Eastwood and giving a debut to new signing Dan Bent.

For the final 10 minutes Bay were on the defensive as Folkestone went in search of a winner but the defence remained solid.

This was a cracking game and a draw seemed the right result.

“Potentially we’ve still got an opportunity to get to the play-off positions but there’s a long way to go”, said Denly, “if we can keep putting in performance like that there’s no reason why we can’t and I’ve said we’ve got 12 cup finals left, why not? Folkestone Invicta are top 4, they’re a good side at this level, Neil Cugley’s been in the game a long time, he knows the game inside out, yes, they’re a good side and we’ve matched them today.”

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Daniel Johnson, Liam Quinn, Nathan Eastwood (Daniel Bent 77), Danny Walder, Joe Nelder (Stuart King 80), Steven Ita, Mark Lovell, Sam Hasler (Danny Spiller 72).

Subs Not Used: Harry Brown, Ben Brown.

Cautions: Nathan Eastwood, Mark Lovell, Stuart King. Sent Off: none

Man of the Match: Mark Lovell