Title Contenders Scrape Through

Leatherhead (0) 1
Parkinson 64

Herne Bay (0) 0

Attendance: 195

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Saturday 7th December 2013.
Fetcham Grove

by Steve Barton

Leatherhead are one of the favourites for the Ryman South title and Herne Bay travelled to Fetcham Grove with 11 places between the two teams. The Tanners had lost just once at home this season in their eleven league outings and showed the class that has seen them rise to third with a 1-0 victory. But Bay showed that with more consistency and a greater finishing touch they could have the pedigree to mix it with the best.

Sam Denly made two changes from the side that drew last Saturday with Horsham. Connor Sanders returned for the first time in a month, following his whiplash injuries, to again partner Joe Kennett in the centre of defence and allowed Gary Sayer to return to his more familiar left back position. Nathan Eastwood was suspended. Danny Lawrence made way for Danny Walder who returned from suspension.

The home side started the brightest. The first chance fell to Herne Bay when Joe Nelder found space at the edge of the box but his strike went past the left upright. As Bay began to settle the Tanners created their own first opportunity. A corner from Darren Smith was punched clear by Jack Delo but fell to Leroy Griffiths who hurried his shot over the bar. A fine interchange between Danny Walder and Sam Hasler provided Nelder with his second chance but ex-Maidstone keeper Derren Ibrahim was up to the challenge with a fine save.

Herne Bay were coping well with Leatherhead’s prolific attack and star striker Tom Bradbrook (bother of Dartford’s Elliot Bradbrook) was booked for consistent foul play. On the half hour a foul by Dean Grant on Griffiths led to a free kick to the left of the area. Smith was once again the provider but Jamie Coyle’s header was wide of the mark. Whilst Leatherhead were having more of the play they were unable to break down the Bay back four and frequently caught offside. As the end of the half approached Delo went down well at Bradbrook’s feet and the two sides went into the break with Bay deserving the stalemate.

Early in the second period Denly introduced James Turner in place of Dean Grant but it was Leatherhead who were pushing on for the first goal. Ian Draycott swivelled well 20 yards out and Delo saved well to his right. A foul by Sanders on Paul Semakula gave the Tanners a free kick and led to one of the more entertaining incidents of the match. The ball fell into Delo’s grateful arms after it had struck both posts from the Bradbrook free kick.

The defining moment of the game came on 64 minutes when a cross from the right was met by Tom Parkinson and his header went past Delo. Jordan Casey and Stuart King came on for Joe Nelder and Jamie O’Connell in a double substitution. With the clock ticking down James Turner twice worked well to give himself space and fire off a shot, but on both occasions Ibrahim showed the form that had won him the Golden Gloves award for November. No points but no need for despondency

Herne Bay team: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Danny Walder, Connor Sanders, Joe Kennett (Jordan Casey), Sam Hasler, Joe Nelder, Jamie O’Connell (Stuart King), Ben Brown, Dean Grant (James Turner).

Subs not used: Danny Lawrence, George Benner