Herne Bay Line-Up
Starting XI: 1 Coleman, 2 Procopi, 3 Wyborn, 4 F Smith © (Oliver 61’), 5 Friend (Denny 82’), 6 Tyrie, 7 McFarlane, 8 Gilbert, 9 Bloomfield, 10 Rogers (Christian-Law 65’), 11 Saunders
Unused Subs: 14 Heard, 17 Will Underwood

Referee: Steven Goldup
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Summary
Herne Bay’s second victory in a week over Sheppey United means that we will travel to Cray Wanderers on Tuesday, 9th September, for the 1st Round match.
A decent Tuesday night crowd of 322 was our 8th-highest home Cup attendance since joining the Isthmian League in 2012 and witnessed an impressive second-half display and a 3-0 win for Herne Bay.
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First Half: 0-0
Both teams had made changes to their lineups following last Tuesday’s Isthmian League match.
In the first quarter of the game, Sheppey United enjoyed most of the possession, and Joe Tyrie needed to block an effort on the line. The wind was blowing strongly across the pitch, and play was fast-paced, but very few chances were created.
Herne Bay looked most dangerous from corners, and Jacob Gilbert’s delivery was causing Adam Molloy, recalled in goal for Sheppey United, plenty of problems. The only other worry for Sheppey United was when Kamani McFarlance raced onto a long clearance, and Herne Bay players were sure he had been fouled before he could pull the trigger in the penalty box.
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Final Score: 3-0
Two minutes into the second half, from a Herne Bay corner, player/manager Liam Friend was perfectly placed to head in his first goal of the season.
Before Sheppey had time to regroup, Gilbert played a long free kick into the penalty area, Bloomfield was fouled, and Herne Bay were awarded their second penalty of the season. McFarlane stepped up to take the kick and sent Molloy the wrong way to give Bay a two-goal cushion. It was McFarlane’s 5th goal of the season
Although Bay was playing some flowing football in the second half, it took until the 81st minute for Monty Saunders to score another. From 20 yards out, he beat Molloy with a delightful shot lifted over him and dropping under the bar.
As time was running out, credit must be given to Sheppey for continuing their efforts. Bay’s impressive keeper, Joe Coleman, backtracked quickly to tip a header from Dan Bradshaw over the bar and kept a clean sheet when turning another Bradshaw header around the post. In between them, Rhys Wyborn was prevented from adding a fourth for Herne Bay by an excellent save from Molloy.
To cap a good evening for Herne Bay, it was also pleasing to see coach and now player/coach Joe Denny return to the pitch after such a long period out of the game through a knee injury.
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Upcoming Fixtures
• Saturday 23rd August, 15:00 Erith Town (Away) Isthmian League
• Monday 25th August, 15:00 – Deal Town (Home- Isthmian League)
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