Undefeated Run Extended

Herne Bay (0) 1
Connor Sanders 68

Walton Casuals (0) 1
Gabriel Odunaike 72

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Saturday 19th November 2016
at The Altira Park Stadium, Winch's Field

Att: 192

(photo credit: Steve Barton)

"It was a really good performance against a strong side", said Herne Bay manager Sam Denly, "over the course of ninety minutes I think we were a little hard done by not to get the win".

Ray Kelly writes: Herne Bay and Walton Casuals produced a match to savour, pulsating, and a draw was a fair result with both defences in top form. The match started with the Casuals speedy pair of Sol Pinnock and Gabriel Odunaike putting the Herne Bay defence to the test but they stood solid. After the initial onslaught Bay started to get on terms and the first real chance came on 11 minutes when the referee, John Pike, awarded Herne Bay a free kick on the edge of the area , Danny Walder's kick was cleared
off the line by Jake Nicholson. Within a minute the ball was up at the Herne Bay end and a header off the goal line by Michael Turner prevented Jack Sammoutis from netting. With the game ebbing from end to end both teams went close to scoring with Sol Pinnock failing in front of goal in the 28th minute and Kane Phillip wasting a good chance for the Bay on 35 minutes. Throughout the first half Joe Nelder and Gary Sayer were superb in the heart of the Bay defence and with Adam Woolcott buzzing around in mid field Herne Bay were well worth the level scoreline at half time.

Herne Bay dominated the first period of the second half and on 52 minutes Danny Williams had a great effort saved by Denzil Gerrar in the Casual's goal. Five minutes later Mark Lovell went agonisingly close when his shot shaved the post. On 60 minutes it was the Casuals turn to rue their luck when Gabriel Odunaike burst through the Bay defence only for Jack Delo to make a superb save .
Herne Bay looked the most likely to score and on 68 minutes the goal came when Connor Sanders latched on to a loose ball in the area and slammed it past Gerrar. This goal galvanized Casuals and they surged forward, looking for parity and four minutes later
the equaliser came when a three man move resulted in Odunaike slotting home. For the final ten minutes both teams were intent on looking for the winner and as in recent games Jack Delo came to the fore making 3 superb saves preventing Odunaike and Max Fitzgerald from securing the win. Herne Bay were denied a potential winner when James Turner appeared to be brought down in the area when he was about to shoot in the 91st. minute.

This was a great game to watch and both teams deserved a point.

"It's a very good point and it keeps the unbeaten run going. They've beaten most of the top five, we've matched them today and it shows how far we've come over the last month", said Denly.

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Joe Nelder, Chris Elliott, Connor Sanders, Danny Walder, Adam Woolcott, Mark Lovell (James Turner 83), Danny Williams, Kane Phillip (Nathan Eastwood 83)

Subs not used: Josh Algar, Femi Apantaku, Toby Wood

HBFCSA Man of the Match: Gary Sayer