Disappointing Draw for Bay

East Grinstead Town (0) 0

Herne Bay (0) 0

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Saturday 30th January 2016
at East Court

Att: 108

(photo credit: Peter Guise – Jack Delo claims a cross)

Herne Bay maintained third position in the league and remained on course for the play-offs despite this disappointing draw in Sussex

“It was frustrating and disappointing, I’ve said to the lads it wasn’t good enough”, said Herne Bay manager Sam Denly, “we’re third in the league for a reason and today we didn’t show why. We’ve been fantastic for the first three quarters of the season and if we want to get on and finish the season where we are then we have got to be a lot better than that”.

Ray Kelly writes: For the second game running Herne Bay played a team of ‘multiiple debutants’ and this new East Grinstead side belied the low position they hold in the league. This 0-0 draw was a mixture of good goalkeeping , (from both Keepers) ,the woodwork and some glaring misses.

The ‘Wasps’ were first on the attack and after some slack defensive play from the Bay, Danny Johnson had to clear the ball off the line from a shot from Alex Kenlock. Three minutes later Jack Delo was fast off his line to thwart the same player. Herne Bays first chance came in the 22nd minute ,following a Danny Walder corner ,this time it was East Grinstead’s defender Callum Emptage that cleared the ball off his goal line. Herne Bay started to get into the game as the half progressed and on 29 minutes a Danny Williams shot was palmed round the post by the ‘Wasps’ keeper Jack Howard. After some good inter play by Bret Millham and Greg Cundle, East
Grinstead so nearly took the lead but Cundle fired past the post. Further chances fell to Sam Hasler and Lee Browning but neither could get the ball on target. On 38 minutes Lee Browning went through on goal but fired straight at Jack Howard in the ‘Wasps’ goal.

Herne Bay started the second half with a little more zest and were quickly on the attack and after 2minutes Danny Johnson thumped in a good shot but Jack Howard tipped it over the bar,he followed this up with a fine save from a Sam Hasler shot. A minute later Bay should have taken the lead when Lee Browning missed a glorious chance in front of goal. On 55 minutes East Grinstead’s Greg Cundle hit the post with a stinging shot that had Jack Delo well beaten.

In the 82nd. minute Sam Hasler hit the post with a 30 yard free kick. Both keepers were busy in the final few minutes and in time added on the Bay could have snatched the lead when James Turner headed over a Sam Hasler free kick from close range. In truth this was an under par performance from Bay but a point keeps us well in for a play off place.

“We looked leggy from minute one, we had a very hard game on Tuesday and that probably showed today”, said Denly, “yes we’ve had a lot of football but we’ve got a strong squad and we didn’t do enough today and if we wan’t to get on and compete like we have been doing we’ve got to be better. I’m the first person to praise these boys, they’ve been absolutely superb this season, they’ve set the bar this season and they deserve the accolades they’ve been getting but today, for whatever reason, we didn’t quite reach it”.

East Grinstead Town: Jack Howard, Callum Emptage, Jake McIntyre, Brett Milham, George Benner, Charlie Slocombe, Yacine Gnahore Goldy Capela 80), Byron Napper ( Williams Peauroux 85), Alex Kenlock Jack Bath 65), Greg Cundle, Alex Gaggin

Subs not used: Jeff Allen, Nic Taylor

Sent Off: none Cautioned: none

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Nathan Eastwood, Dan Johnson, Liam Quinn, Connor Sanders, Danny Walder, Danny Williams (Elliott Cutts 54), Mark Lovell (James Turner 68), Lee Browning (Joe Nelder 61), Sam Hasler.

Subs not used: Dan Parkinson, Kane Phillip

Sent off: None Cautioned: none

Referee: Matthew Lee Assistants: Anthony Cross & Paul Roots

Man of the Match: Dan Johnson (Herne Bay)