Denly Disappointed as Run Ends

Ramsgate (1) 1
Joe Taylor 45

Herne Bay (0) 0

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Saturday 19th December 2015
at Southwood

Attendance: 240

by Peter Guise

(photo credit: Peter Guise - Respect Handshake)

Herne Bay’s epic run of league matches came to an end at Southwood as Ramsgate’s defence held out under second half pressure.

“We knew the run would come to an end eventually”, said Herne Bay manager Sam Denly, “but this was disappointing as we totally dominated the game, especially in the second half”.

Ramsgate were fourth and Bay third in the league before the start of play so, not surprisingly, it took a while for this game to get in to its stride. Ian Pulman had the first real effort on goal but the Rams’ experienced striker had his shot well saved by Bay’s Jack Delo. Sixty seconds later the visitors thought they had taken the lead when the equally experienced Mark Lovell headed home at the near post only to turn to see the offside flag raised.

Both sides traded attacks for the rest of the first half each met with solid defensive positions at either end. Former Bay player, Joe Kane, was instrumental at the heart of the home defence to keep his former club at arms length. Then, with the half time whistle due, Joe Taylor squeezed through a gap in the Herne Bay defence to plant a shot past Delo and Rams were, perhaps, unexpectedly a goal to the good.

After the break, Herne Bay dominated the game, permitting Ramsgate only infrequent forays over the half way line. Dan Parkinson’s 51st minute shot was saved by Watkins at the foot of his right hand upright and moments later Bay thought they had equalised when the ball appeared to cross the line before being hooked away; the assistant referee failing to confirm the visiting forwards' suspicions. Just before the hour mark, Dan Parkinson was unlucky again, his header drifting agonisingly inches wide of Watkins’ left hand post with the ‘keeper powerless to reach it.

Herne Bay continued to pepper the Ramsgate defence but the telling moment would not appear.

“That was our first clean sheet since September”, said Ramsgate manager Jim Ward, “it wasn’t a brilliant game and that’s the best Herne Bay side I’ve ever seen”.

“How we’ve come away today with nothing I don’t know”, said Sam Denly, “we were excellent, it was all us for the whole second half. It’s very frustrating. We have to move on now”.

Ramsgate: Luke Watkins, Jake Mackenzie, Luke Wheatley, Joe Kane, Kane Smith, Luke Girt, Tom Loynes, Oliver Gray, Ian Pulman (Kane Rowland 72), Joe Taylor, Nick Treadwell.

Subs not used: Oliver Brown, Jack Penny, Daniel Vinson, Jack Paxman.

Sent off: none Cautions: Nick Treadwell, Kane Rowland

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Dan Johnson, Liam Quinn, Connor Sanders (Kane Phillip 72), Danny Walder, Dan Parkinson (Joe Nelder 62), Mark Lovell, Elliot Cutts, Danny Williams (Lee Browning 72).

Subs not used: Nathan Eastwood, Harry Brown.

Sent off: none Cautions: Mark Lovell, Dan Johnson.

Referee: Paul Saunders Assistants: Jamie Wells & Jamie Collumbell

Man of the Match: Joe Kane (Ramsgate)