Hasler On Target

Tooting & Mitcham United (1) 1
Billy Dunn 34

Herne Bay (1) 1
Sam Hasler 25

Saturday 13th August 2016
Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
at Imperial Fields

Att: 164

by Steve Barton

(photo credit: Steve Barton - Sam Hasler scores Bay's opening goal of the season)

"I thought we were poor first half but it was a much better second half", said Herne Bay manager Sam Denly, "it was a real good performance and we dominated and when we've created chances like we have today, a couple of one on ones, to not take them it's disappointing".

For the season’s opener Herne Bay travelled to Imperial Fields, Morden to take on Tooting & Mitcham United. Tooting had never been a happy hunting ground with three draws and one defeat from four outings and with just one goal scored. When Sam Hasler thundered home in the 25th minute it looked like Bay were on for their first victory but Billy Dunn levelled nine minutes later. Tooting had the lion’s share of possession in the second period but failed to test Jack Delo and Bay had the best chances with Stuart Zanone and Sam Hallett both missing out on chances when one-on-one with keeper.

Ray Kelly writes: For Herne Bay’s first League match of the season the Bay travelled to the K.N.K. stadium, the home of Tooting and Mitcham United. Although coming away with a creditable 1-1 draw , Herne Bay could have gained all three points but for the goalkeeping heroic’s of Tooting’s Mattie Pearson who saved two point blank Herne Bay efforts.

Herne Bay were slow to get into the first half and only great defending from Connor Sanders and the evergreen Liam Quinn kept the lively Tooting forwards out. The first real chance fell to Tooting on 10 minutes when a snap shot from Danny Bassett tested Jack
Delo, from that chance Jack’s clearance was collected by Stuart Zanone who raced down the left flank and his cross resulted in a corner, Danny Walders corner found Sam Hasler but his shot was well taken by Mattie Pearson.

On 25 minutes an identical movement resulted in the opening goal when Danny Walders corner was played to Harry Brown who laid the ball into the path of Sam Hasler who crashed in the ball past Pearson from 25 yards. Tooting started to raise their game with Kurtis Tykes and Danny Bassett both going close. Connor Sanders and Liam Quinn were in great form in the heart of the Herne Bay defence but they could dp nothing to prevent the Tooting and Mitcham equaliser that came on 34 minutes after Tanio Adebowale played the perfect ball to Danny Bassett who struck the ball with venom from 25 yards, giving Jack Delo no chance.

With a minute left of the first half Tootings Quincy Rowe headed over when well placed much to the relief of the Herne Bay defence.

The Bay started the second half with more gusto and were soon on top, pushing Tooting back in their own half for long periods of time.
On 55 minutes only a brave save by Pearson, at the feet of Stuart Zanone, prevented the Bay taking the lead. A minute later a long throw from Connor Sanders caused havoc in the Tooting defence that Pearson eventually cleared.

"There was a little bit of a spark missing, we've got Gary Sayer injured and Danny Williams suspended", said Denly, "For me, if we want to compete this season we've got to be a lot better. It's a game we should have won".

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner (Adam Woolcott 77), Harry Brown, Joe Nelder, Liam Quinn, Connor Sanders, Danny Walder, James Turner (Kane Phillip 70), Mark Lovell (Sam Hallett 80), Stuart Zanone, Sam Hasler.

Subs not used: Georgio Russo, Toby Wood