Crisis! What Crisis?

East Grinstead Town (2) 2
Callum Emptage 6
George Benner 10

Herne Bay (2) 3
Jerome Roseje (og) 20
Danny Williams 33, 90

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Saturday 12th November 2016
at East Court

Att: 104

by Steve Barton

(photo credit: Steve Barton)

What a difference a few weeks makes. Just 25 days ago Herne Bay lost 7-0 away at Hastings United, Bay were in the relegation area, Stuart Zanone was to be released and Sam Hasler on his way to Folkestone Invicta. Manager Sam Denly and the board met to discuss the playing budget and it was all doom and gloom amongst some supporters. Such was the depth of despair that the club considered taking away the fans’ shoe laces as they entered the ground.

But passion, desire and the ability of the Herne Bay family has come to the fore with a fourth successive win, only the second time this has been achieved in Herne Bay’s four and a bit year Ryman League history. This seemed unlikely in the first 10 minutes when East Grinstead Town were granted the freedom of the Bay penalty area as firstly Callum Emptage (from a corner) and secondly ex-Bay defender George Benner (from a free-kick) headed home unopposed.

On 20 a long punt from Jack Delo was met by Danny Williams, who brought the ball under control and turned in one skilful movement, leaving his marker flat footed, and after turning inside strove to the by-line. Mark Lovell was waiting to pounce from the resultant cross but the leggy Jerome Roseje, in an attempt to intervene, got himself in a tangle and turned the ball over the line. Just after the half hour Bay won a free-kick just outside the box. Chris Elliott thundered in his shot and Wasps’ stopper Chris Haigh clawed the ball away from the goal-bound top corner but Joe Nelder was lurking at the far post to head back into the path of Danny Williams, who rammed the ball home to level.

10 minutes into the second period Adam Woollcott put Joe Nelder through on the left and Haigh prevented Bay taking the advantage. Jack Delo had to be at his best as he twice saved well and Adam Woollcott and Nathan Eastwood both blasted over when well placed. Eastwood had come on as a substitute to make his 350th career appearance for the club and Connor Sanders, playing his 100th league game, was replaced by James Turner.

With the clock ticking down and a draw looking the likely result, Woollcott swung in a great centre and Williams glanced his header into the net to give Herne Bay the victory, much to the delight of the traveling fans. Three goals scored for the fourth game in a row and four consecutive victories just shows what the squad can achieve. The drop zone is now seven points away and Bay have plenty of games in hand on those below. Mid-table must be the immediate aim, and beyond that, who knows?

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Joe Nelder, Chris Elliott (Nathan Eastwood 70), Connor Sanders (James Turner 75), Adam Woollcott, Danny Walder, Mark Lovell, Danny Williams Kane Phillip (Josh Wood 90).

Subs not used: Josh Algar, Toby Wood.

Cautions: Chris Elliott, Michael Turner, Joe Nelder

Man of the Match: Danny Williams