Spirited Fightback Not Enough

Herne Bay (1) 3
Danny Williams 17
Steven Ita 74
Joe Nelder 90

Worthing (2) 4
Steve Metcalf 21
Ben Pope 27. 59
Zack Newton 63

Attendance: 186

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Saturday 24th October 2015.
(at The Altira Park Stadium, Winch’s Field)

(photo credit: Steve Barton – Joe Nelder drills home from the edge of the box)

This was a spirited fightback from Herne Bay but ultimately it came too late to prevent defeat at the hands of a well drilled Worthing and condemned Bay to fall under the half way point in a tight league table.

“They’ve had four shots and scored four goals and we made too many mistakes today that have cost us”, bemoaned Herne Bay manager Sam Denly, “we were knocking on the door second half but we gave ourselves a mountain to climb.”

Ray Kelly writes: Herne Bay , looking splendid in their new kit ,entertained Worthing at the Altira Stadium on Saturday but Worthing didn’t read the script and left with all three points. In truth they gave Herne Bay a football lesson for 75 minutes of this match and deserved the win.

The writing was on the wall as early as the second minute when the Rebels LLoyd Dawes sent over a telling corner that Ben Pope headed into Jack Delo’s hands. 4 minutes later Jack Delo got down well to push the ball away for another corner. The resulting corner was headed over by Corey Heath when he should have done better.

Herne Bay weathered the opening onslaught from Worthing and started to get back into the game and they were rewarded in the 17th. minute when ,following a long throw by Connor Sanders, Danny Williams nipped through the Rebels defence to nod past Rikki Banks .
Within 4 minutes Worthing had evened things up when Steve Metcalf surged down the left wing , cutting in and fired an unstoppable shot past Jack Delo. Worthing continued to put pressure on the Herne Bay defence and it was no surprise that they took the lead in the 27th. minute when Lloyd Dawes sent over a good cross for Ben Pope to head in past a rather static Herne Bay defence.

Herne Bay went in search of an equaliser with Elliot Cutts and Mark Lovell both going close. Conor Sanders long throws were causing problems for the Worthing defence and on 40 minutes Elliot Cutts was unlucky when he headed one goalwards but Rikki Banks saved well.

Herne bay started the second half much brighter and with only 2 minutes after the restart Liam Quinn headed wide when well placed following a Danny Walder free kick. On 50 minutes Manager Sam Denly brought on Steven Ita for Danny Williams to inject more pace upfront. Elliot Cutts went on a tricky run before crossing to Mark Lovel who thumped the ball in but Rikki Banks pulled of a great save to thwart him. In the 59th minute the Rebels increased there lead when Zac Newton crossed a pin point ball to Ben Pope who had no trouble in slotting past Jack Delo. Herne Bay’s Joe Nelder then replaced Elliot Cutts but 3 minutes later Worthing went 4-1 up when Zac Newton fired home from close range. Sam Hasler replaced James Turner in the 70th. minute and it wasn’t long before he had the ball in the net but alas the linesman had flagged for off side.

The Bay were now getting the upper hand and attacking at regular intervals and on 74 minutes a corner from Sam Hasler was back headed by Steven Ita, the ball flew into the net. A minute later the Bay should have reduced the arrears when Liam Quinn saw his header just shave the post following another Sam Hasler corner.

With a minute left on the clock Herne Bay made it 3-4 when Joe Nelder smashed the ball past Rikki Banks following a Sam Hasler free kick. Referee Mr.Scott Williams , who had a good game in the middle brought the game to an end.

In truth Herne Bay were beaten by this Worthing side who played at speed and accurate passing was something that Bay should learn from but in saying that the Bay could have ‘nicked’ an equaliser, missing several good scoring chances at the end of the game.

“We didn’t score at key times today and at 3-1 or 4-1 it’s always going to be difficult”, said Denly, “they (Worthing) looked very good first half and played some good football, we gave the ball away in areas we shouldn’t. The lads that came off the bench today made a real difference, that’s what I’m asking players to do this year. We’ve got a big squad and when they do come on they’ve got to make an impact and that’s what three of them did today”.

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Dan Johnson, Liam Quinn, Connor Sanders, Danny Walder, Elliott Cutts (Joe Nelder 60), Mark Lovell, Danny Williams (Steven Ita 51), James Turner (Sam Hasler 67).

Subs not used: Nathan Eastwood, Harry Brown.

Sent Off: none Cautioned: none

Referee: Scott Williams Assistant Referees: Kennedy Kilulwe, Val Anekwe.