Bay Batter Bridges

Herne Bay (2) 4
Brown 31,33 Benner 87, King 90

Three Bridges (0) 1
Garrod 69

Attendance: 90

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Tuesday 25th March 2014.
at Winch’s Field

by Steve Barton

There were smiles a plenty at Winch’s Field as Herne Bay overcame their recent run of disappointing form to beat Three Bridges 4-1. The margin of the victory was slightly flattering and had Bridges made the most of two periods of dominance things may have been different.

Bay had Jack Delo to thank as twice in the first three minutes he came to the rescue, firstly diving to his right to deny Matt Daniel and then saving with his legs from Tony Garrod. Both sides continued to play the ball along the ground and the action was end-to-end but the final product was not good enough to trouble either keeper.

Ben Brown, who ran non-stop from beginning to end, took control in the 31st minute. His first attempt was charged down and he picked up the rebound to hammer the ball past Bridges’ keeper Martin Grant. Within two minutes Brown had increased the lead. A Sam Hasler free-kick from the left was headed on by Jordan Casey into the path of Brown who gave Grant no chance.

It was Three Bridges who came out strongest in the second period as Bay lost their momentum and it came as no surprise when on 69 Romain Elliott found Garrod who coolly slotted past Delo. Within a minute the Herne Bay bar was shaking when Mark Pulling beat Delo from 25 yards but the ball bounced clear.

Within a space of 13 minutes on came Dean Grant, James Turner and Harry Brown for Nathan Eastwood, Jordan Casey and Sam Hasler which brought more energy to the Bay play. The balance of power shifted back to the home side and Ben Brown, cutting in from the left following a pass from brother Harry, was denied his hat-trick by a fine save from Grant on 86. Within a minute the jitters were put to rest as Stuart King curled in a corner which beat everyone but George Benner who tapped in at the far post.

The action was not finished as Dean Grant, in time added on, swept in a deceiving cross which Stuart King met with his head at the far post to put the result beyond doubt. The barrage continued and James Turner drove into the box and was felled by Pulling. Danny Walder and Stuart King, who had both previously scored from the spot this season, were both waved away by Ben Brown eager for his third. It was not a fairytale ending for Brown as he blasted the ball not only over the goal but over the stand too.

A well deserved win which saw the last match in a blue and white shirt for Danny Walder who is returning to Tonbridge Angels. Walder has made 39 league and cup starts plus two substitute appearances scoring nine times including seven penalties.

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Nathan Eastwood (Dean Grant 65), Gary Sayer, Danny Walder, Connor Sanders, George Benner, Sam Hasler (Harry Brown 78), Ben Brown, Stuart King, Jordan Casey (James Turner 73), Michael Turner.

Subs not used: Jamie O’Connell, Joe Kennett