Bay Record Goes In Undeserved Fashion

Herne Bay (0) 0

Burgess Hill Town (1) 1
Lee Harding 45

at Winch’s Field

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Saturday 14th March 2015.

Attendance: 261

by Ray Kelly

(photo credit: Steve Barton – Mark Lovell’s ‘equaliser’ is disallowed.)

Herne Bay’s unbeaten ten match run came to an end with this narrow defeat at the hands of league leaders and Champions Elect, Burgess Hill Town.

“Disappointed! As a squad for the unbeaten record to come to an end like that, it’s a shame”, lamented Herne Bay manager Sam Denly, “the boys were excellent second half and things have gone against us today and we’ve come away feeling a little bit hard done by”.

Burgess Hill came to Winch’s Field to defend their unbeaten record and defend it they did. The Bay’s second half performance almost knocked them off their perches but it wasn’t to be. A superb first half from the Hillians had Herne Bay pinned back in their own half for long periods of time and only great defending kept them out. Liam Quinn was fantastic in leading the back line, pure class. A goal just on half time was the downfall. The second half was a complete reversal with Burgess Hill hanging on at the end. A disallowed goal and a couple of glaring misses sealed the game for the Hillians and with it the 10 game undefeated run came to an end. The team can feel proud of the run.

From the Kick off Burgess Hill were quicker to the ball and attacked down both flanks with Joe Keenan and Callum Saunders giving the Herne Bay backs a torrid time. Time and time again Liam Quinn came to the Bay’s rescue with defending headers. On 16 minutes the Bay couldn’t clear the ball and for 30 seconds it was like a ping pong game until Gary Sayer cleared the ball.

In the 30th minute Callum Saunders lashed in a stinging shot only to see Jack Delo produce a great save and 5 minutes later once again Jack was at his best to deny a Joe Keenan effort. Herne Bays first real chance fell in the 40th minute when a foul on Steven Ita was awarded 40 yards out, Danny Walder played a short ball to Sam Hasler but his shot screamed over the bar. Just before the half time whistle the Hillians went in front, following a corner Lee Harding prodded in from close range.

Bay started the second half in more determined fashion and soon forced Burgess Hill back deep and on 50 minutes Steven Ita’s cross almost caught the Hillians ‘keeper Josh James out of position but he recovered to hang on to the ball. 5 minutes later Mark Lovell headed into the net but Referee Mr. Myall ruled it out for an infringement on the keeper.

Manager Sam Denly put on Dan Bent and Danny Spiller for Nathan Eastwood and Joe Nelder. Herne Bay continued to press forward with Steven Ita and Sam Hasler both going close for the Bay. Jorden Casey replaced Michael Turner to add more punch up front and 5 minutes later Casey should have equalised but he fired over from 10 yards when well placed.

For the final 10 minutes the Bay laid siege to the Burgess Hill goal but the ball just wouldn’t go in. This defeat was no disgrace and Herne Bay’s second half performance is a reminder just how far Sam Denly’s men have come this season

“It was all them first half and we couldn’t wait for half time but second half we dominated it and the last few minutes they were hanging on”, said Denly, “Lovell’s goal was never a free kick, you deserve a bit of luck playing against good sides and we don’t feel we got that today. I’ve said to the boys that they should feel proud of themselves, they’ve been outstanding the last few months and to get a shout at the play offs is a fantastic achievement. We’re good enough, we’ve shown that, we’ve given the league leaders a very good run for their money. We know we’re good enough to make the play offs, we’ve got to go and do the job now”.

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner (Jordan Casey 71), Gary Sayer, Dan Johnson, Liam Quinn, Nathan Eastwood (Dan Bent 65), Danny Walder, Joe Nelder (Danny Spiller 65), Steven Ita, Mark Lovell, Sam Hasler.

Subs Not Used: Harry Brown, James Turner.

Cautions: Sam Hasler. Sent Off: none

Man of the Match: Liam Quinn (Herne Bay)

Referee: Christopher Myatt Assistants: David Lunani & DeQuincey Bailey.