“We’ve worked so hard to be where we are, it was a big game second playing fourth and for it to be ruined like that is just a shame for everyone; players, fans and everyone in the ground today”, said Herne Bay manager Sam Denly, “for me it wasn’t a bad tackle, it wasn’t even a free kick”.

Ray Kelly writes: Playing on the 3G pitch this game should have been one of the most contested games of the season but it was marred by two contentious decisions by the referee when he sent off Sam Hasler and Dan Parkinson, Sam for a so called two footed tackle and Dan for a remark made to the referee. This ended the game as a contested match. Herne Bay ended the match with only
8 players as Kane Phillip injured his knee with minutes to go.

The match kicked off with both teams playing some great football, with the play going from end to end. Lloyd Dawes and Harvey Sparks both examined the Bay defence in the early stages and attacking full back Michael Turner and Mark Lovell did the same to Worthing.
The first real chance of the game fell to Herne Bay’s Sam Hasler when in the 10th minute when he unleashed a pile driver of a shot that skimmed the Worthing bar. Back came Worthing with the tricky Lloyd Dawes who fired over when well placed. On 17 minutes Worthing’s newly signed Ira Jackson, crossed to Dawes but his effort was well saved by Jack Delo. On 23 minutes Worthing took the lead when Omar Bugiel spotted Jack Delo off his line and chipped in a superb goal.

Worthing piled forward looking to increase their lead and a full blooded shot from Ben Pope was headed off the goal line by Liam Quinn. A minute later Mark Lovell scampered through the Worthing defence and with only Rikki Banks to beat he fluffed his effort. Further chances fell to Omar Bugiel and Gary Sayer was on hand to spoil his efforts. Then came the game changer when the referee sent off Sam Hasler and Dan Parkinson. With 2 minutes to go to half time Worthing scored the goal of the match when Matt Axell unleashed a shot from 30 yards that screamed into the net, giving Jack Delo no chance.

Nathan Eastwood replaced Elliot Cutts to bolster the hard pressed Herne bay defence. The second half was very much played in the Herne Bay half but at times when the Bay broke out chances fell to Mark Lovell who had a shot well saved by Rikki Banks and had a penalty turned down by referee, Mark Goldsmith, much to the surprise of both teams. On 75 minutes Worthing scored their third goal when Omar Bugiel crossed to Ben Pope who tapped in from close range.

Herne Bay’s defence held firm for the rest of the match and it must be said that it was a great defensive display by all.

“I said to the boys at half time it was about showing a bit of pride, a bit of damage limitation and we didn’t want the goal difference to be destroyed”, said Denly, “we worked hard, went two banks and they found it hard to break us down. It’s a bit of a dent but we go again and I’m targeting seven wins from our remaining games to get in the play offs”.

Worthing: Rikki Banks, Will Hendon (Mike Waller 75), Harvey Sparks, Ryan Richefond, Gary Elphick (Steve Metcalf 84), Corey Heath, Lloyd Dawes, Matt Axell (Brannon O`Neill 69), Ben Pope, Omar Bugiel, Ira Jackson.

Subs not used: Jack Fagan, Matt Piper

Sent off: none. Cautions: none

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Dan Johnson, Liam Quinn, Connor Sanders (Kane Phillip. 75), Danny Walder, Elliott Cutts (Nathan Eastwood 45), Mark Lovell (Danny Williams 59), Dan Parkinson, Sam Hasler.

Subs not used: James Turner, Joe Nelder

Sent Off: Sam Hasler, Dan Parkinson. Cautions: none

Referee: Matthew Goldsmith. Assistants: Peter Georgiou & Joshua Godfrey

Match details

Match date

Sat 13 Feb 2016

Kickoff

15:00

Attendance

434

Competition

Division South

Team overview

Red Cards Ruin Top Four Clash

Both teams had started the game brightly

Match details

Match date

Kickoff

Attendance

Competition

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