Bay come from behind to rescue point

Report by Peter Guise

Herne Bay scored their first goal for a month and secured a point against basement club Walton Casuals thanks to Dan Whisker’s scrambled equaliser in the 63rd minute at the Waterside. Once again, Bay had started brightly. Josh Sargeant’s free kick after just two minutes was tipped round the post for a corner by the home ‘keeper followed 3 minutes later by Callum McGeehan’s thumping free kick that rebounded off the right hand upright. But it was Casuals who took the lead midway through the first half when Sol Patterson-Bonner was adjudged to have sprung the offside trap successfully by the assistant referee and the big striker strode on to give the home side a scent of their first home victory of the season. Bay might have equalised almost immediately. Debutant Sam Bewick, signed in midweek from table topping Maidstone United, was desperately unlucky to see his shot pushed over the bar for a corner. Bewick continued to impress with his tireless efforts throughout the match, hinting at greater promise for the rest of the campaign.

10 minutes after the turnaround, Dan Whisker was introduced to the game and shortly after was to make his mark. Dean Grant’s consistent running reaped rewards when he whipped a flat but fierce cross in to the six yard box from the right and Whisker scrambled the ball home in the ensuing melee. With the scores level, Bay had further chances to wrap up the points but were unable to capitalise. Rhys Lawson, through on goal, contrived to bundle himself to the ground to squander one chance and Byron Walker, who looked at least part way back to his old form, saw his shot ricochet off a defender and cannon back off the post. This was Herne Bay’s first league point since the defeat of Folkestone Invicta back in the first half of November. They might not have got it had Casuals strikers not been so wasteful in front of goal.

Team: Dan Eason, Gary Sayer, Tom Bryant, Callum McGeehan, James Campbell, Josh Sargeant (Dan Whisker 55,) Dean Grant (Jordan Tunji Agbajae 76,) Sam Bewick, Bryon Walker, Billy Bennett, Rhys Lawson

Subs not used: Michael Turner, James Turner, Steven Lloyd

Goals: Dan Whisker 63

Cautions: Josh Sargeant 36, Byron Walker 41, Sam Bewick 66.

Man of the Match - Sam Bewick