Derby Defeat

Herne Bay (1) 1
Daniel Carrington (o.g.) 30

Faversham Town (1) 2
Matt Bourne 24
Josh Stanford 77

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Monday 2nd January 2017
at The Altira Park Stadium, Winch's Field

Att: 332

(photo credit: Steve Barton - Carrington puts through his own goal for Bay's equaliser)

"If we'd come away with three points today, nobody could have argued with that. I thought we dominated the game second half, probably didn't create enough clear cut chances but over the course of the ninety minutes we deserved something out of the game, it's hard to come away with nothing", said Herne Bay manager Sam Denly.

It was certainly a hotly contested derby which threatened to boil over early in the second half such was the passion displayed by both camps. Faversham had the better of the early exchanges and deserved their early lead when Matt Bourne peeled off his marker in the 24th minute to create space for his far post header. The lead lasted a mere 6 minutes though. Following pressure from Bay, Danny Walder sent in a corner that caused panic in the visitors' six yard area and Daniel Carrington, perhaps in attempting to head over the bar to safety, powered into his own net instead.

After the break, Herne Bay lifted the tempo. Making his home debut, Ian Pulman was a constant threat and former Bay striker, Luke Harvey put in a strong performance at the top of the Faversham line. Just when it seemed that the derby day spoils would be deservedly shared, Josh Stanford reminded this bumper crowd of his prowess, he scored at Wembley for Tunbridge Wells in the FA Vase Final a few years ago, when he let fly from 20 yards out with 13 minutes left on the clock. The ball bounced, perhaps unkindly and certainly awkwardly, in front of Jack Delo and instead of resting safely in the 'keeper's arms deflected off him into the net for Town's winner.

Bay had a potential front line of four for the closing stages of the game but couldn't grab a second equaliser.

"It's a hard one to take but we've been excellent in the three games over Christmas", said Denly, [i]"if someone had said to me beforehand we were going to get six points out of nine I would probably have taken that. The lads that have come in have given the whole squad a boost. We'll take that in to a tough January and we'll pick up points along the way".[/i]

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Joe Nelder, Ben Gorham, Connor Sanders (James Turner 81), Danny Walder, Kane Phillip (Mark Lovell 63), Danny Williams, Ian Pulman, Taser Hassan.

Subs not used: Nathan Eastwood, Chris Elliott, Toby Wood.

HBFCSA Man of the Match: Michael Turner