A point earned or two points lost?

Herne Bay endured a harrowing trek to Corinthian Casuals owing to major spillage on the M25 giving a 25 mile grid lock. Players, supporters and officials all arrived late at the King George's Field and some did not make the kick off, including Joe Nelder and Sean Raggett.

The game itself got off to slow start but Bay soon had the upper hand and could well have been one up after only 7 minutes when a Gary Sayer corner was headed towards the goal by Steven Lloyd, forcing Casual’s keeper, Danny Bracken, to save on the line after being deflected off one of his defenders.

In the 12th minute, Rob Stevenson caused some alarm in Bay’s defence after getting free down the right before crossing low and hard across the face of the goal. Fortunately for By no one could get a touch on it. Two minutes late, Dan Eason spotting his opposite number off his line launched a free kick that had Bracken scrambling the ball to safety.

Herne Bay's best move of the half came in the 26th minute when Michael Turner breezed passed Matt Ellis before squaring the ball to Dan Wisker. Unfortunately he blazed inches over the crossbar. Further chances fell to Josh Sergeant and George Landais but both efforts lacked any real penetration.

On 34 minutes Carl Downs sent in a high cross come shot that Eason did well to collect. A minute later Rhys Lawson sent over a great cross that Sergeant headed agonising close to the cross bar. Back came Casuals with Danny Green bursting through Bay’s defence but he fired over from 10 yards.

Five minutes before the break, Michael Turner forced a corner. Sergeant's cross caused panic in Casual’s defence. The ball fell to his brother, James who shot hit the upright. Bay continued to press, Landais wasted a great chance, after being put away by Sergeant, crashing the ball over from inside the area.

Herne Bay quickly took the upper hand in the second half and with only 5 minutes into the half, the Turner twins combined well down the right, ending with James heading just wide A minute later James had the ball in the net but given offside.

Bay made a double substitution in the 58th minute with Danny Williams and Dean Grant replaced Landais and Lawson. It was Grant who put Michael Turner through clear on goal in the 65th minutes but his progress was stopped unceremoniously by Joe Hicks, bringing him down from behind. To the amazement of everyone the referee waved play on.
On 71 minutes Bay took a well deserved lead when another corner kick from Sayer was met by the head of Calum McGeeghan resulting in the ball powering into the top corner.

Sean Raggett replaced James Turner with 15 minutes left to play.
Casuals were now showing more urgency and brought on substitute Juevam Spencer, whose pace would prove to be instrumental in earning them a share of the points. This move worked well when in the 86th minutes he dis-possessed, and turned, Lloyd before lashing in a shot that was deflected past Eason at his near post to bring Casuals level.

With four minutes left Bay pushed forward seeking the winner but to no avail.

This was a case of two points dropped rather than one point gained.

Att: 103
Team: Eason, Sayer, Bryant, Lloyd, McGeehan, Sergeant, M Turner, Wisker, J Turner, Landais, Lawson
Subs used: Williams (Landais 58 min) Grant (Lawson 58 min) Raggett (Turner J 75 min)
Not used: Irvine, Storrie

MOM: Michael Turner