No Bore Draw

Herne Bay (0) 0

Dorking Wanderers (0) 0

Attendance: 214

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Saturday 5th September 2015.
(at Winch’s Field)

by Ray Kelly

(photo credit: Steve Barton – Dorking Wanderers defend a corner)

Herne Bay stopped the Dorking Wanderers goal scoring machine with resolute defending and matching them in most departments. In the end the only thing between the sides was a great goal keeping display from the Dorking keeper Gary Ross who thwarted Herne Bay time and again.

The Herne Bay defence were superb all afternoon with Nathan Eastwood and Liam Quinn being foot perfect keeping out the Dorking forwards. This game was by no means a bore draw ,with plenty of goal mouth action at both ends and if Bay had been more clinical in front of goal ,the result could have been a home win.

Herne Bay hit the ground running and in the first minute Giorgio Russo scooted down the right wing and put a great ball across to find Steven Ita but he was adjudged off side. Back came the Wanderers on 10 minutes , forcing a corner, but Phil Page's effort was cleared by Danny Williams. A minute later Danny Williams fired in a snap shot that was well saved by Gary Ross. With the game going from
end to end neither sets of forwards could get past the defences but on 25 minutes Sam Hasler fired in from 25 yards , a screamer of a shot into the top right hand corner but Gary Ross some how tipped the ball over for a corner. Danny Walder's corner found Liam Quinn but his shot was deflected wide.

In the 30th. minute Dorking's James Duff sped down the right before crossing to Tom Davis but he shot high and wide when well placed. On 40 minutes Steven Ita had a glorious chance to put the home side in front when he went through with only the keeper
to beat but Gary Ross dived at his feet to smother the ball. Just on half time Danny Walder wasted a free kick from 35 yards ,blasting high and wide.

Herne Bay started the second half on the front foot and after only 2 minutes on the clock a Connor Sanders long throw was met by Sam Hasler who’s thunderbolt shot was blocked on the line by Jake Hill and away to safety. On 68 minutes Herne Bay had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down by Referee Rickie Adams when Chris Boulter appeared to handle the ball in the box. With Bay pressing, a Danny Walder corner was palmed round the post by Gary Ross and from the resulting corner Liam Quinn headed over from an acute angle.

With two minutes left Gary Ross once again came to Dorking's rescue when he pulled off a blinding save from a Kane Phillip shot.

A good game with both defences on top but a clean sheet against the League top scorers was a great effort from the Herne Bay lads. Throughout the game Dorkings football was superb and you could see why they are undefeated so far this season after 7 matches.

“It’s a good point, they’re a good side but I think it is two points dropped. I thought we were really good today, a good nil nil game but we had by far the better chances and again that little bit of clinical finishing has let us down”, said Herne Bay manager Sam Denly, “We’re still sitting seventh in the league in touch with the top five, we look strong and we’re a good side. We need to work on our quality in the final third because that’s what is costing us at the moment. The signs are good”.

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Georgio Russo, Nathan Eastwood, Dan Johnson, Liam Quinn, Connor Sanders, Danny Walder, Danny Williams (Kane Phillip 63), Mark Lovell, Sam Hasler (Dan Parkinson 81), Steven Ita (Joe Nelder 61).

Subs not used: Kane Butler, Elliot Cutts.

Sent Off: None Cautioned: Steven Ita, Kane Phillip

Herne Bay Man of the Match: Nathan Eastwood