Bay come from two down to earn a draw

RYMAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE SOUTH
SITTINGBOURNE 2 - 2 HERNE BAY
Tuesday 6th February 2013

Herne Bay’s revival continues as they travelled to Bourne Park, Sittingbourne and came away with a share of the spoils to make it 7 points from 9.

But for much of the game, under difficult conditions it looked like there would be no return. The team were unchanged for the third match in a row as Rhys Lawson recovered from his hamstring strain. And, as at Merstham, Bay were a goal down in the opening minutes, after only 2 minutes in fact. Lawson lost the ball midway in his own half allowing Ryan Cooper to race through and smash the ball past French.

Twenty minutes later it was 2-0. Slack marking from Tom Bryant allowed Joe Taylor to advance on goal and cooly clip the ball over the dving French. Too many times the ball was given away cheaply putting Bay’s goal under pressure. By half-time Bay were two goals down and not looking like they could show much resistance to the Brickies play.

The second half started in similar fashion as Bourne looked the most likely to get the next goal. With an hour gone Bay stepped up a gear and on 70 minutes Byron Walker broke through down the left, passed to Lawson, who in turn passed to Tunji. Agbajae found himself 10 yards out with his back to goal. He swivelled and planted his shot into the back of the net.

Three minutes later Walker was brought down near the edge of the box. The referee adjudged it just inside and pointed to the spot much to the consternation of the Sittingbourne players. Sam Bewick confidently picked up the ball to claim the kick. The keeper went the right way but Bewick’s strike was too strong. Both sides went for the winner and it was Tunji who came closest but his shot was agonisingly wide.

As the clock ticked down Tom Bryant was disappointingly given a yellow card for dissent, it was his second yellow of the game and the red followed to give him his second ban of the season. Three away matches in a row unbeaten. Now back to Winch’s Field on Saturday and time to show this type of form in front of the home crowd.

Att: 121
Team: French Bryant Sayer McGeehan Campbell Bewick Grant Bennett
Walker Agbajae Lawson.
Subs; M.Turner (Grant 47min) Wisker (Bennett 60mins) J Turner (Walker 80 mins)
Subs Not Used: Eastwood, Nelder