Bay Extend Unbeaten Run

Bay Extend Unbeaten Run

Herne Bay (1) 3
Hasler 16, Casey 61, Turner J 80

Eastbourne Town (1) 2
Medlock 44, 69

Attendance: 212

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Saturday 21st September 2013.
at Winch’s Field

by Ray Kelly

Herne Bay moved up to 8th in Ryman One (South) with this win over Eastbourne Town and extended their unbeaten league run to eight matches although, at times, they made hard work of defeating the stubborn basement club at Winch's Field

Once again the Bay played some very good football but were guilty of missing a host of chances in
both halves. The first 2 chances fell to Eastbourne in the 2nd and 10th minutes, firstly Billy Medlock fired wide when well placed and then Robert Hughes headed over from 6 yards.
Herne Bay then took charge of the half with Eastbourne often chasing shadows and it was no surprise
that the Bay took the lead on 16 minutes when Sam Hasler rifled in from distance, the ball bobbling in front of the ‘keeper who failed to gather. Returning from injury, Hasler ran the show in the opening 45 and Bay might have put this came to bed before the break had the chances he created been put away. A quarter of an hour later Eastbourne should have equalised when Billy Medlock broke through the Bay defence but shot wide with only Jack Delo to beat. With the half time whistle approaching, Joe Nelder, who also had a great first half, went on a run down the right and sent over a superb ball but Jordan Casey failed to convert. Bay were punished with a minute left on the watch. Eastbourne levelled when Robert Hughes sent over a good corner that the Bay defence failed to clear and Billy Medlock slammed in through a sea of legs.

The second half was only 5 minutes old when Sam Hasler went on a surging run but his final shot was well saved by Nestling with his feet in the Eastbourne goal. On the hour mark, Jordan Casey bustled his way through the Town defence but fired over from 10yards. He atoned for this miss soon after though when he shot home from 10 yards after a measured cross from substitute James Turner.
Eastbourne did not give up and were back on terms in the 69th minute when a reckless tackle from Gary Sayer on the edge of the Bay penalty area gifted the visitors a free kick that Billy Medlock fired through the wall and past Jack Delo for the equaliser.

Herne Bay piled on the pressure looking for a winner. Ben Brown tried an audacious 25 yard lob that flew over the Eastbourne cross bar but with 10 minutes left Joe Nelder sent zig zagged his way down the left, sent over a low cross into the danger area that James Turner controled, then turned and fired past Nestling.

Five minutes before time Sam Denly gave 16 year old Elias Settouf his debut for the Bay as a reward for his industry in the youth side. However, with the clock ticking down, Jack Delo preserved Herne Bay’s deserved lead with a superb save from Billy Medlock.

Herne Bay team: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Joe Nelder, Connor Sanders, Joe Kennett, Dean Grant (Ben Brown 58), Danny Walder, Jamie O'Connell (James Turner 55), Jordan Casey (Elias Settouf 85), Sam Hasler.

Subs not used: Kane Butler, Kane Philip.