Hastings Humbled

Hastings United (1) 1
Sam Cole 43

Herne Bay (2) 2
Danny Walder 45
Sam Cruttwell o.g. 45

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South
Saturday 23rd April 2016
At The Pilot Field

Attendance: 570

by Steve Barton

(photo credit: Steve Barton: Danny Walder equalises with his free-kick)

Herne Bay signed off the season with a spirited win at play-off favourites Hastings United and not only ended the U’s hopes of a top five finish but also finished the reign of the management team of Garry Wilson and Danny Bloor.

Hastings took control for the opening exchanges as Ollie Rowe headed high and wide from a Sam Cruttwell long throw and Zac Attwood and Sam Cole could not connect from Jack McLean and Cruttwell crosses. McClean did find the net from a Cruttwell centre but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Both sides were forced into early changes with McLean stretchered off to be replaced by Bright Temba and Giorgio Russo replacing the limping Harry Brown. Bay’s first attempt came from Sam Hasler but his thirty-yard volley drifted tamely wide.

With two minutes remaining on the first half clock the game suddenly came alive. Jack Delo came for a Richard Davies cross and then stopped as Cole looped a gentle header over his head and just inside the far post. Four minutes of time was added on and Danny Walder’s free-kick eluded everyone, including keeper Joe Taylor to bring the scores level. Joe Nelder’s driving run took him through the Hastings defence and his rasping shot was tipped over the bar by Taylor. From the resulting Sam Hasler inswinging corner Cruttwell headed into his own net with James Turner ready to pounce.

Into the second period another Walder free-kick was tipped over by Taylor with the referee awarding a goal kick. Bay were showing the more desire with Hastings not looking like a side needing victory to secure the play-off berth. Cruttwell, Cole, Temba and Rowe all could have made more of their chances. Hastings’ frustration was beginning to show as the referee failed to control several niggly incidents, with Connor Sanders and Dan Johnson immense at the heart of the Bay defence.

Elliot Cutts came on for Kane Phillip and then Delo produced two wonder saves, firstly from Rowe and then from Richardson-Brown’s follow-up effort before Zac Attwood’s shot was cleared off the line. The hero nearly turned villain when Attwood pinched the ball away from Delo but the stopper narrowed down the angle and prevented any further danger. The over combative Sean ‘Razor’ Ray was booked for handbags before a corner and then headed wide.

Sam Hallett was introduced for Sam Hasler and so nearly opened his account when he cut in from the left to fire narrowly high and wide. Minutes later he became the 24th Herne Bay player to be booked this season when he took one for the team, shooting wide after the man in the middle had blown his whistle.

Davies should have levelled late on when he shot over from five yards following a Cruttwell cross. The Bay fans and players celebrated at the final whistle and Ray showed his indiscipline seeking out those who he deemed were responsible for his side’s defeat.

Hastings United: Joe Taylor, Richard Davies, Liam Wilson, Simon Johnson, Sean Ray, Ollie Rowe, Sam Cole, Sam Adams, Zac Attwood, Sam Cruttwell, Jack McLean (Bright Temba 11, Tyrell Richardson-Brown 67).

Subs not used: Chris Cumming-Bart, Richie Welch, Jerome Smith.

Sent Off: None Cautioned: Simon Johnson, Sean Ray

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Harry Brown (Giorgio Russo 36), Dan Johnson, Dan Parkinson, Connor Sanders, Danny Walder, Joe Nelder, James Turner, Sam Hasler (Sam Hallett 76), Kane Phillip (Elliott Cutts 56).

Subs not used: Nathan Eastwood, Gary Sayer.

Sent Off: None Cautioned: Sam Hallett

Herne Bay Man of the Match: Dan Johnson