Bay Buckle in Bailiwick

Guernsey (0) 5
Dave Rihoy 63
Ross Allen 46, 89
Craig Young 90
Michael Turner (og) 90

Herne Bay (1) 1
Danny Williams 40 (pen)

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Saturday 24th September 2016

at The Footes Lane Stadium

Att: 677

(Photo credit: Peter Guise - Danny Williams scores from the spot)

"It's very disappointing for us, it's not a good day for us, not a good day for me personally, I've been let down again", said Herne Bay manager Sam Denly, "unfortunately we are going to be talking about Sam Hasler and not for his footballing ability again".

Herne Bay had high hopes going into this match of reversing recent fortunes and the opening half hour did nothing to indicate otherwise until talented Sam Hasler was shown a red card for the second match running, this time for a headbutt, which will result in his playing ban being extended from three to seven matches. Ironically, almost immediately after that unsavoury incident, Bay took the lead when Danny Williams put them ahead from the penalty spot sending the experienced Chris Tardif the wrong way.

A goal to the good at the break, Herne Bay harboured a game plan to protect their lead in the second 45 but it was sunk without trace when they conceded almost immediately from the restart and then went further behind just after the hour mark. The tired legs of the ten looked to have held out for what might have been a moral victory from defeat but three goals in the closing minutes produced a scoreline that flattered the Green Lions and served to underline Bay's current predicament.

Ray Kelly writes: Herne Bay flew to the Channel Islands on Saturday to play Guernsey F.C. but returned home after a 5-1 defeat. There were reasons for this defeat that I will not dwell on, although in saying that the Bay were 1-0 up at half time, playing against a Guernsey side that were lacking confidence and a Herne Bay team missing several key players.

From the kick off Bay took the game to the ‘Green Lions’ and early chances fell to Stuart Zanone and James Turner but they found the Guernsey keeper, Chris Tardiff in good form. The Bay were winning the mid-field battle with Danny Williams being a constant threat to the Guernsey defence. The first real chance fell to the ‘Green Lions’ when top scorer Ross Allen went on a solo run only for Michael
Turner to snuff out any danger. On 31 minutes a good effort from Sam Hasler was superbly taken by Tardiff, two minutes later Sam Hasler was fouled by Jamie Todd and rightly he was booked but Sam once again lashed out and was shown a red card, this was Sam Hasler’s second red card in a row and now misses the next 7 matches.

Herne Bay now playing with 10 men tried to put this action behind them and were rewarded when James Turner was brought down in the area, Referee Mr. Matthew Lee pointed to the spot, up stepped Danny Williams and thumped the ball past Chris Tardiff. Herne Bay held out until the half time whistle.

At half time Guernsey put on Matt Loaring in place of Dom Heaume , with his pace Guernsey charged forward from the kick off and restored parity after only a minute when Ross Allen bundled the ball over the line. Guernsey now started playing with conviction and further chances fell to Rihoy and Allen with Jack Delo stopping their efforts. The ‘Green Lions’ now with there tails up took the lead on 63 minutes when Dave Rihoy burst through the Herne Bay defence and slammed in a cracking shot past Jack Delo. On 71 minutes the Bay almost drew level when a Joe Nelder free kick was met by Danny Williams but his header just skimmed the far post with Tardiff well beaten.

Then came three goals in three minutes with Ross Allen adding to his total and Craig Young scoring a great solo effort and to put the icing on the cake for the ‘Green Lions’ an own goal from the unlucky Michael Turner. This score line rather flattered Guernsey but the Bay were up against it from the 38th. minute sending off of Hasler.

"The sending off has had a big impact on the game but if we can get 3 or 4 key players back into the side and we can perform better then the season can kick start now. The bottom three is not somewhere we want to stay. We've got a lot of hard work to put that right. There's a long way to go (in the season) and plenty of points to play for". said Denly

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner (Casey Tucker 89), Nathan Eastwood, Kenny Sanders, Joe Nelder, Josh Algar, James Turner (Sam Hallett 78), Kane Phillip (Harry Brown 83), Danny Williams, Stuart Zanone, Sam Hasler.

Subs not used: none (3 named)

Herne Bay Player of the match: Joe Nelder