Maggs Mugs Bay

Maggs Returns to Mug Bay

Herne Bay (0) 0

Hastings United (1) 2
Kelly 28, Darby 85

Attendance: 185

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Tuesday 24th September 2013.
Winch’s Field

by Ray Kelly

Herne Bay's eight game unbeaten run came to an end on Tuesday night at Winch's Field, going down 2-0 to John Magg's Hastings United. The former Bay shot stopper, a member of the all conquering Aetolian League side a half century ago returned to mug his former club. In truth the Hastings side were a class above the Bay, including several players in their number with experience at Conference level, although the visitors’ goalkeeper pulled off a string of good saves throughout the game.

For the first 20 minutes both teams attacked and counter attacked at pace with Bailo Camara and Sulleyman Bah giving a strict examination to Gary Sayer and Michael Turner, the Bay full backs.
The first chance fell to Herne Bay in the 5th minute when Jordan Casey fired in a stinging shot that the Hastings ‘keeper did well to push round the post, back came Hastings, with Matt Darby bursting through but his shot went woefully wide.

With the visitors demonstrating their experience, they upped the tempo and on 26 minutes Sam Hasler lost the ball in mid field to Danny Ellis who ran through only to see his shot blocked by Gary Sayer for a corner. Sam Adams’ corner found Sean Kelly totally unmarked and he slammed home to give Hastings the lead. Herne Bay went in search of an equaliser and further chances fell to Dean Grant and Jordan Casey but Ben Judge and Matt Darby in the Hastings defence looked impregnable.

Herne Bay started the second half more fired up and within 2 minutes had the ball in the net when Dean Grant sent in a thumping shot that rocketed past Pelling but his effort was ruled out by the assistant’s flag raised for offside. Almost immediately, Dean Grant ‘s long range strike was saved, Casey’s effort stung the ‘keeper’s hands and Joe Nelder’s header was cleared off the line. This was Bay’s best passage of play and, having survived the barrage, Hastings countered. Delo’s instinctive reflexes kept Sam Adams’ header out but he could do little about Matt Darby’s strike five minutes from time that gave all the points to Hastings, ending Bay’s ran of eight without defeat and United’s run of three straight reverses.

Herne Bay team: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Danny Walder, Connor Sanders, Joe Nelder, Dean Grant, Ben Brown, James Turner (Elias Settouf), Jordan Casey, Sam Hasler

Subs not used: Jamie O'Connell, Kane Butler, Adam Woolcott, Harry Brown