Bay Beaten

Dorking Wanderers (1) 4
Tom Tolfrey 9 (pen), 49
Dean Gunner 65
Jake Beecroft 87

Herne Bay (1) 2
James Turner 45
Danny Walder 90 (pen)

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
at Westhumble

Saturday 12th March 2016

att: 108

(photo credit: Steve Barton - James Turner scores Bay's equaliser on the stroke of half time)

Herne Bay's play-off aspirations took a dent with this defeat and although they remain fourth the chasing pack are breathing down their necks. Speaking to Steve McCartney of www.kentishfootball.co.uk, Bay manager Sam Denly said, "I thought we were outstanding first half and for me we should’ve got something out of the game. We’ve created enough chances to get something out of the game and defensively, for a change, we’ve conceded some poor goals”.

Ray Kelly writes: It all looked so different at half time with Bay on top of this encounter and holding the Wanderers 1-1 but sloppy defending in the second half done for the Herne Bay side added to this poor finishing in front of goal.

From the kick off Herne Bay took the game to Dorking and within 5 minutes Kane Phillip forced a twice taken corner that the Dorking custodian Slavomir Huk did well to keep out. On 9 minutes , Dorkings first attack resulted in a goal when Dan Johnson was adjudged to have brought down Ben Dyett in the penalty area, referee Matt Corlett pointed to the spot and top scorer Tom Tolfrey crashed the ball past Jack Delo.

The game ebbed and flowed with Kane Phillip constantly troubling the Dorking back four and Tom Tolfrey looking dangerous for the home side. On 31 minutes Herne Bay lost the services of Liam Quinn with a head injury. Nathan Eastwood came on the take his place. Herne Bay continued to press forward in search of parity and just on half time they were rewarded when James Turner netted from close in following a Danny Walder corner.

Dorking started the second half with more gusto and on 49 minutes Tom Tolfrey turned Michael Turner before slamming in a low shot past Jack Delo. Herne Bay tried to get on terms but time after time their attacks petered in the final third of the pitch.Tom Familton and Ben Dyett were instrumental in breaking up most of the Bay’s efforts. On 65 minutes Herne Bay found themselves 3-1 down when more sloppy defending let in Dean Gunner to slot past Jack Delo. Herne Bay were only looking a shadow of the first half performance and it was no surprise that following a Danny Walder corner Mark Lovell headed over with the goal at his mercy in the 80th. minute. On 87 minutes Dorking made it 4-1 when Jake Beecroft spotted Jack Delo well off his line and lobbed him from 35 yards. In the final minute of the game Herne Bay made the score a little more respectable by scoring a Danny Walder penalty.

Speaking to Steve McCartney (www.kentishfootball.co.uk), Herne Bay manager Sam Denly said, "Still a lot of football and lots of twists and turns. Nothing’s guaranteed yet so it’s not mathematically possible for anyone to finish anywhere apart from Folkestone who will win the league. It’s going to be difficult, there’s going to be many twists and turns. We’re going to try and get a run together now. We’ve got to go on a winning run, that will be our aim, starting next week.”

Bay's record against the teams around them has not been the best, picking up just 10 points out of a possible 33. Next Saturday's home match with Ramsgate takes on a weighty significance in relation to the push for the play-offs.

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner (Mark Lovell 67), Gary Sayer, Dan Johnson, Liam Quinn (Nathan Eastwood 31), Connor Sanders, Danny Walder, Joe Nelder, James Turner, Lee Browning, Kane Phillip (Elliott Cutts 78)

Subs not used: Danny Williams, Dan Parkinson

Bay Man of the Match: Kane Phillip