Honourable Draw in Derby

Herne Bay (1) 1
Connor Sanders 22

Faversham Town (1) 1
Dean Grant 10

Attendance: 249

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Tuesday 25th August 2015.
(at Winch’s Field)

by Ray Kelly

(photo credit: Steve Barton – Connor Sanders draws Bay level)

Herne Bay and Faversham Town served up a superb local derby on Tuesday night, with honours even, in front of a decent 250 crowd. Both teams contributed to an end to end game packed full of chances and skill.

Former Herne Bay player Dean Grant put Faversham ahead only for Connor Sanders to equalise for the Bay in the first half. Surprisingly only those two goals were scored in a game of many chances. From the kick off both teams were intent on attacking and as early as the 3rd. minute Bay should have taken the lead when Kane Phillip collected a long clearance and ran through the Faversham
defence only to shoot into the arms of the Faversham keeper Robert French. In the 8th minute Faversham went in front when Dean Grant fired in after a corner.

A minute later Herne Bay goalkeeper Jack Delo had to be on his toes,saving smartly ,a Charley Robertson free kick. Kane Phillip was unfortunate not to get a penalty in the 16th minute when he was pushed in the back while attempting to shoot, the Referee Mr.Oliver Jackson waived play on. A minute later Kane Butler sped down the right before crossing to Kane Phillip but his over head kick was taken well by French. On 22 minutes Herne Bay were level , Kane Butler sent over a good cross to Danny Walder who in turn played in a lurking Connor Sanders who slotted in with aplomb.

Within two minutes Bay had the ball in the net again but Mark Lovell’s effort was ruled off side. Chances continued to fall to both sides with Dean Grant looking dangerous for Faversham and Kane Butler looking equally dangerous for the Bay side.

The second half started in the same fashion ,Faversham using the long ball tactic forcing Herne Bay back and in the 52nd. minute Mobolaji Dawodu fired over when well placed. Danny Walder also fired over the crossbar after collecting a long throw from Connor Sanders. Then came the miss of the match when Dean Grant found himself with the goal at his mercy but struck the inside of the post from 6 yards, much to the relief of Jack Delo.

On 70 minutes Liam Quinn came to the Bay’s rescue when he headed a Wayne Wilson corner off the goal line. Sam Hasler replaced Kane Phillip for the last of the Herne Bay changes in the 71st. minute and he was soon in the action when after a good run and cross from Steven Ita, Sam Hasler’s shot was cleared off the goal line by Mat Bourne,with French well beaten.

Both teams went ‘Hell for leather’ looking for the winner and on 79 minutes Faversham hit the post again and Sam Hasler had his shot deflected off the goal line when a goal looked certain.

A draw was a fair result and the game was credit to both teams after dishing up a great local ‘Derby’.

Herne Bay manager Sam Denly said, “I think we dominated the first half and was unlucky to come in level but second half they’ve upped their game, for me it was a great game of football, the supporters will be going away happy. Faversham are a very good side and we’ve matched them which shows you how far we’ve come. We’ve got a strong squad this season. Kane Butler’s come in and had a very strong game. It shows the quality we’ve got and the strength in depth”.

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Nathan Eastwood, Dan Johnson, Liam Quinn, Connor Sanders, Danny Walder, Dan Parkinson Steven Ita 65), Mark Lovell, Kane Butler (Danny Williams 65), Kane Phillip (Sam Hasler 75).

Subs not used: Giorgio Russo, Harry Brown.

Sent Off: None Cautioned: Liam Quinn, Connor Sanders

Referee: Oliver Jackson Assistant Referees: Kane Dempster & Ross Alexander.

Man of the Match: Kane Butler