Darkest Hour (and a half)

Hastings United (4) 7
Harry Stannard 1, 4
Frannie Collin 18
Jack Harris 43
Richard Davies 55
Bright Temba 62
Sam Cole 85

Herne Bay 0 (0)

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South0
Tuesday 18th October 2016

at The Pilot Field

Att: 311

Herne Bay's season hit a new low on the Sussex coast with this worst ever defeat in their brief Ryman League history leaving them languishing in the bottom three.

Ray Kelly writes: On Tuesday night, Herne Bay suffered their heaviest defeat since joining the Ryman League, going down 7-0 to Hastings United at the Pilot Field. In truth Darren Hare’s Hastings team were a class above the faltering Herne Bay. The game got off to the worst possible start for the Bay when after only 36 seconds Hastings took the lead following a Matt Bodkin run down the right, leaving the Bay defence in total confusion, crossing for Harry Stannard to tap in at the far post. Within 3 minutes the same move by the same players produced another goal with Stannard finishing for Hastings. Herne Bay looked shell shocked and only two good saves from Toby Wood prevented Hastings from going further in front but on 18 minutes Hastings added a third goal when Frannie Collin stole the ball in mid field and ran through to rifle it past Toby Wood. To Herne Bay’s credit they tried to counter and pull a goal back and on 22 minutes James Turner sent over a good cross to Kane Phillip but he blazed his shot well over the bar. In the 36th.minute another good save by Toby Wood prevented Harry Stannard from recording a hat trick but on as the half closed Hastings grabbed goal number four when Jack Harris rose above the static Herne Bay defence to head in.

The second half was only 5 minutes old when Jack Harris went one on one with Toby Wood but the young Bay keeper spread himself well and thwarted his effort. On 55 minutes Hastings scored goal number five when Richard Davies headed home a Harry Stannard corner. The score increased to six in the 62nd minute after a cross from Matt Bodkin was rifled home by Bright Temba. On 72 minutes Hastings were awarded a penalty. Up stepped Matt Bodkin and he blazed the ball over the bar. In the 85th minute Hastings concluded the nights scoring when Sam Cole went on a fine solo run down the left before cutting in and unleashing a cracker of a shot past Toby Wood.

This result has left manager Sam Denly plenty to think about but remember that a team do not become a bad team overnight.

Herne Bay: Toby Wood, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Kenny Sanders, Adam Woollcott (Josh Algar 64), Connor Sanders, Danny Walder, Kane Phillip, Mark Lovell, Stuart Zanone, James Turner.

Subs not used: Josh Wood, Chris Elliott, Jack Delo (only 4 subs named)