6th January, Maidstone vs Herne Bay, League cup semi final

Journey to the final

Bay 14s [b]6 v 1 Lordswood 14s
Whitstable Town 14s 0 v 5 Bay 14s
Bay 14s 3 v 2 Hollands and Blair
Bay 14s 2 v 1 Welling u14s (Unbeaten in 2 years in the North section and currently 2nd)
Maidstone 14s 0 v 1 Bay 14s (Unbeaten this year top of the north only conceded 3 goals all season)

After narrowly departing the Kent county cup at the quarter final stage a fortnight ago on penalties to Ebbsfleet u14s in the Cup currently 3rd in the north, The Bay had one more shot at cup glory away in the Reader & Phillips Under 14 League Cup 2024 - 2025 semi final against Maidstone. The home team came into the game in some form, having won all ten of their league games so far and progressing to the county cup semis themselves.

Herne Bay were most certainly underdogs for this tie but nobody seemed to have told the players. Any possibility of the Bay showing too much respect to the home team was quickly put to one side as they started at a manic tempo, pressing all over the pitch to force turnovers. Early chances saw Freddie flick a header wide from Tom’s deep cross before Charlie drilled just wide from the edge of the box.

Maidstone tried to play out from the back and down their left but Oscar and Ralph together repelled their forays. At the other end though, Herne Bay twice nearly had the lead. Blake, who conjured space for himself after easily evading two opponents, couldn’t find a way past the Maidstone keeper before pressure from Danny created an opening for himself, only for his rasping effort to thump off the foot of the near post and away.

Maidstone seemed unsettled by the fearlessness of their opponents and unable to live with the pressure. Charlie hit a free kick narrowly over but the chance of the half then fell to Maidstone on a counter attack. A cut back found their giant striker arriving in the middle of the area unmarked but his finish was high and wide.

Herne Bay looked to capitalise on their reprieve and Danny again nearly opened the scoring, hitting a rocket into the side netting. As the half closed, a Herne Bay corner was half cleared to Henry who laid off to an advancing Finn. With sublime technique he hit a dipping, swerving strike that just cleared the angle of post and bar by inches. Nil nil at the half but clear signs that Herne Bay were up for the fight.

The second half was played into swirling wind with worsening weather, making good play challenging. But what the game lacked in free flowing football was more than compensated for by the heart and courage the Herne Bay boys showed. With opportunities for the home side not forthcoming, tempers began to flare, with several Herne Bay players on the receiving end of reckless challenges. Despite the aggression, the Bay kept focussed and disciplined, trusting that their togetherness would create more chances. Alfie, tigerish again in midfield, won a fifty-fifty and lofted a ball out to Blake on the right touchline. Blake slipped his marker quickly and was away down the wing. With Maidstone defenders backpedaling, Blake slipped a pass inside to Freddie, who turned and laid off to Danny advancing into the left hand side of the area. One touch settled the ball and the second squeezed a finish under the defender’s leg and past the keeper for a deserved lead. 1-0

Maidstone tried to get back into the game but found the Bay in resolute mood. Theo and the returning Matteo kept their widemen in check with several sliding tackles and interceptions, whilst any crosses that did make it through were headed away imperiously by Tom and Ollie. In front of them, Henry had been battling away all afternoon but, with support from Sammy, forced a turnover in the Maidstone half and played Freddie through on goal. The skipper rounded the keeper with ease but took a whack for his troubles, and the referee instantly signalled for a penalty. Henry, so reliable from the spot, executed almost flawlessly, only for the strike to hit the inside of the post and bounce agonisingly away with the keeper beaten.

The home team sensed this might be their moment but were unable to create much of note, save for a couple of headed set pieces in the swirling wing, neither of which hit the target, leaving Callum remarkably unthreatened for much of the game.

Organisation, grit and determination were on full display right up to the end of the game, with no player leaving anything in their tank. As the final whistle blew to scenes of jubilation and exhaustion amongst the players, this Bay side know they have already written their names in club history, becoming the first junior Herne Bay side to make a cup final. But knowing the players and the coaching staff, all eyes will now be on going one step further to lift the cup in March.