Ten Men Casuals Take Points

Corinthian Casuals (1) 2
Jeuvan Spencer 14
Mahrez Bettache 63

Herne Bay (1) 1
Danny Williams 13

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Saturday 26th November 2016
at King George's Field

Att: 166

(photo credit: Steve Barton - Danny Williams puts Bay ahead)

Ray Kelly writes: Herne Bay returned home, on Saturday evening, pointless. For the whole of the second half, Casuals were down to ten men after having a player sent of in the 44th. minute. Herne Bay have only themselves to blame for not getting anything out of this game as they were in command for a good 75% of this match, poor finishing and good defending by Casuals thwarted the Bay.

The first half was an even affair with both defences being on top form. From the kick off Casuals' Mahrez Bettache and Juevan Spencer linked up well down the right, constantly testing Bay's defence and on 3 minutes a Spencer cross was met by Jamie Byatt who headed well over the bar from 10 yards. Two minutes later Herne Bay made the same move with Connor Sanders crossing for Danny Williams who fired wide of the post. On 13 minutes Herne Bay went into the lead when Connor Sanders played in Joe Nelder but his shot was well saved by Danny Bracken in the Casuals goal. From the resulting corner Ben Gorham headed into the path of Danny Williams who crashed the ball past Bracken. Within a minute Corinthian Casuals restored parity when Bettache crossed from the byeline to find Spencer unmarked and in acres of space, he proceeded to fire in an unstoppable shot past Jack Delo. For the rest of the half both teams tested each others defences but but all to often the final ball went astray. In the 44th minute Casuals were reduced to ten men when Danny Dudley was ordered off by referee Mr. Stephen Graham for a stamping offence . Corinthian Casuals made a change right away by putting on Jack Strange for Brandon Johnson.

The second half started with the Bay in total command, forcing corners galore but good defensive work by Terry Marray and Juevan Spencer kept Herne Bay out. In the 63rd minute Casuals broke out with Josh Uzan bursting through the Bay defence before squaring to Mahrez Bettache who thumped the ball past Jack Delo. Herne Bay pushed forward in numbers but further chances went by the wayside as Danny Williams and Joe Nelder both squandered efforts on goal. Herne Bay continued to blitz the Casuals goal but resolute defending and poor finishing by the Bay forwards prevented any equaliser.

In the 80th. minute, following a bad tackle, Adam Woolcott was stretchered of with a nasty leg injury and was transported to hospital. This was a bad day at the office for the Bay who now must regroup for the coming games against Sittingbourne and Guernsey.

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Chris Elliott (James Turner 66), Ben Gorham, Connor Sanders, Danny Walder (Femi Apantaku 76), Adam Woollcott, Mark Lovell, Danny Williams, Joe Nelder (Kane Phillip 76).

Subs not used: Josh Algar, Josh Wood.