Late, Late Show!

Redhill (1) 1
Elliott 35

Herne Bay (0) 2
O’Connell 89, Walder 90 (pen)

Attendance: 100

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Saturday 15th March 2014
at Kiln Brow

by Steve Barton

A woeful display but three more points on the board as Herne Bay condemned Redhill to their eighth straight defeat. Sam Denly chose the same starting line-up as the fog abandoned mid-week home game with Peacehaven & Telscombe.

Marcus Elliott had caused Herne Bay severe problems in the Lobsters 3-0 win at Winch’s Field earlier in the season and he continued to haunt the Bay defence along with Richmond Kissi and Niall Egan. Herne Bay created some half chances, George Benner headed a Conner Sanders throw past the post, Danny Walder went down in the box but the referee waved away the claims and another throw from Sanders was headed on by Joe Nelder to Ben Brown whose lob failed to beat Redhill keeper Andy Greaves.

Herne Bay’s midfield had little opportunity to show their offensive qualities as the ball was consistently pumped forward to the strike partnership of Jordan Casey and Stuart King who time and time again fell foul of the Redhill high-line offside trap. It came as no surprise when the Lobsters broke the deadlock in the 35th minute. Egan drove down the right wing, avoided Harry Brown’s challenge and put in a pin-point cross from the byline which found Elliott’s head and unchallenged he steered the ball past Jack Delo. Just before the break Egan failed to increase the lead when he struck over from 6 yards.

Redhill came out in the second period the stronger of the two sides and could have added to their advantage when from an Egan corner John Difford produced a clever flick which was saved by Delo, followed by Kissi blasting over the bar when it would have been easier to score.

An enforced change occurred in the 50th minute when James Turner came on for the injured Joe Nelder and then shortly afterwards Denly increased his attacking options by replacing Casey with Jamie O’Connell. It was O’Connell who changed the balance of power with his ability to hold up the ball and the play became more on the ground than in the air. With 20 minutes left Kane Phillip was introduced with Stuart King making way. Redhill were content to watch the clock tick away and waste time whenever possible and appeared to be reaching their objective as the 90 minutes came closer.

But Bay are more resilient and fitter than last season and although not finding the quality play that they would wish for were determined not to let the points slip away. Danny Walder whipped in a cross which Harry Brown met with his head to guide the ball past Greaves. The equaliser? Not in the eyes of the Assistant Referee who raised his flag once more for offside.

A minute later it was Harry Brown’s long-range effort which was spilled by Greaves into the path of the following-up O’Connell who drew the scores level. Redhill’s tactics of holding up play whenever possible had failed to reap dividends and deep into time added on Sanders was upended in the 18 yard area and this time the referee pointed to the spot. Danny Walder had netted 6 out of his 7 penalties this season and he added to his tally by sending Greaves the wrong way. Cue ecstatic celebrations from the travelling Bay contingent.

Herne Bay did not deserve to win but maybe, just maybe, some of the luck that has deserted them this season may be being repaid. Herne Bay are up to 15th. After 32 league games this term Bay now have the same number of points as they achieved last time out from 42 matches.

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Harry Brown, Danny Walder, Connor Sanders, George Benner, Joe Nelder (James Turner 50), Ben Brown, Stuart King (Kane Phillip 70), Jordan Casey (Jamie O’Connell 52), Nathan Eastwood.

Subs not used: Sam Hasler, Dean Grant.