29th September, KYL South, Herne Bay vs Holland & Blair

Herne Bay resumed their league fixtures at home against Holland & Blair. The away team were winners of their league last season whilst remaining unbeaten. Minds were clearly focussed therefore on this stiff test, with a tactical plan backed by endless endeavour the order of the day.

The home team were immediately on the back foot. Ralph had to make a double clearance from a dangerous cross before Callum was also called into action, showing razor-sharp reflexes to block a fearsome shot and bravely block the rebound.

Slowly, Herne Bay started to assert themselves and pushed the away team back. Sammy almost got on the end of an under-hit back pass before Blake delivered a peach of a free kick that just evaded Danny at the far post. Freddie saw a shot saved and another blocked before winning another corner. This time, Blake found a Herne Bay head and it was the skipper who headed home a deserved lead. 1-0.

With a lead to protect, Herne Bay redoubled their efforts. A loose ball fell to an opposing striker in the Herne Bay penalty area but three Herne Bay players were immediately there to pressure the shot, forcing it wide. Tom, Ollie, Charlie and Henry all bravely got their bodies in front of shots as the half drew to a close to preserve the scoreline.

The second half started much as the first ended, with the away team pinning Herne Bay back in search of an equaliser. Chances were few and far between, although the away team showed their intent getting in behind the Herne Bay right hand side, only to fire narrowly wide. A dangerous lofted ball was athletically volleyed away by Ollie, as Holland & Blair looked to play over the home team’s defence. But an equaliser soon followed as hesitation in the backline allowed the Holland & Blair wideman to slide a cross across the six yard box for a simple tap in. 1-1.

The pressure from the away side was ramping up and Callum had to make two smart stops before Kai made two enormous blocks in the penalty area to prevent shots at goal. When the away team did breach the backline, Theo was alert to the danger to cover and win a foul, buying some much needed breathing space.

Herne Bay finally got some possession of their own and won a corner. The first delivery was headed out but only as far as Theo, who lofted a ball back over the advancing away defence. Sammy had bent his run cleverly to stay onside and found himself free on goal. To his frustration, he struck the bouncing ball narrowly over the bar.

At the other end, Callum made the save of the match, somehow springing across his goal line to tip a header wide at full stretch. With time ticking on, Danny collected a loose ball, looked up and saw Sammy peeling away from his marker. Danny measured his pass into Sammy’s stride and last year’s top scorer made no mistake, firing home emphatically with his left foot. 2-1.

Every player and substitute celebrated together by the corner flag, perhaps convinced they had secured the three points so late in the game. But a team is often at its most vulnerable just after it has scored and so it proved, the away side forcing another smart stop from Callum but the opposition striker reacting quickest to smash home the rebound. 2-2.

It soon transpired that that was almost the last kick of the game and, whilst naturally disappointed not to hold on, the players and staff can be very satisfied with, and proud of, their effort and focus displayed.

Goal Scorers

Phillips x1
Lee-Chibnall x1