Bay battle and share the points

The league matches so far this season that have involved either Herne Bay or Tooting & Mitcham United have averaged just over three goals per game, so the smart money was on anything other than a goalless draw, but that was the result. It was the two defences that dominated to keep the number of clear chances to a minimum.

Luke Prentice became the fourth to wear the keeper’s jersey in competitive matches as Rob French was sidelined with a heel problem. Prentice produced a solid display and Simon Halsey will have a selection dilemma once French is fit again. Both sides came out lively from the kick-off but despite the end-to-end play there was no end product. The first real chance came on 25 minutes when Tooting keeper Darren Bechet spilled a Joe Nelder cross and Calum McGeehan spooned over from a tight angle. Two minutes later the ball broke to Tunji Agbajae just outside of the penalty area but his shot too went high.

It was then the Terrors turn to mount the pressure with three corners in a row, but they all came to no avail. Carl Wilson-Denis, who last Saturday scored a hat-trick against Worthing, wasted a great chance for Tooting when he shot wide from 18 yards. Sam Bewick and Tunji were both looking dangerous. Ryan Adams was then relieved to see his skimmed header land into the arms of Bechet.

The best chance of the half came three minutes from the end of normal time when a great Byron Walker run set up Bewick whose pile driver brushed the bar. Bewick then put in a tempting cross but it evaded everyone. Half-time came, neither keeper had been required to make a serious save and both teams and supporters were unhappy with the performance of the man in the middle.

Imperial Fields, the home of Tooting & Mitcham United, is a perfect example of what a non-league football club set up should be. An impressive ground, great playing surface, and two 3G pitches adjacent. It was one of those 3G pitches that Bewick found with his free kick minutes into the second half.

On 50 Tom Bryant went down and was helped off the field. Before Nathan Eastwood had the chance to come on, Tooting broke down the right channel. The resultant cross found the head of Bamoussa Cisse who headed over when it was easier to have found the target. James Turner replaced Agbajae in the 56th minute. With an hour gone Prentice went down well to smother at the feet of Cisse. Dean Grant was the second Bay player to find the 3G behind the goal when a Herne Bay corner was cleared to the edge of the box. A jinking run from Walker followed but he could not find the space to pull the trigger.

With 20 minutes left Joe Nelder launched a long throw into the box, James Campbell won the header which dropped to James Turner but his shot could not beat Bechet. With 15 minutes left it was Cisse’s turn to blast the ball out of the stadium. Walker then beat the offside trap but snatched his shot wide. On 81 Ben Brown was introduced for Billy Bennett. Bay’s last chance came a minute later when Sam Bewick won a corner. The ball found McGeehan at the far post but his shot was not strong enough. After three minutes of time added on the whistle went to extend the Bay’s unbeaten away run to seven games.

Man of the Match was Sam Bewick for his tireless running, tackling and offensive qualities. Next up on Wednesday is bottom side Three Bridges. Hopefully a chance for the Winch’s Field crowd to see the type of performance that Bay can produce on their travels.

Team: Prentice, Nelder, Bryant (Eastwood 80), McGeehan, Campbell, Bewick, Grant, Bennett (Brown 81), Agbajae (James Turner 56), Walker, Lawson.

Subs not used: Michael Turner and Sayer.