Bay dominate but Bromley Green show their metal

Herne Bay’s third pre-season friendly was a trip to Homelands, the home of Ashford Town, to play Town’s new tenants Bromley Green. The Kent County League teams performance would suggest that they will be riding high in their league but Bay were below par on the day.

Bay were without several players who will surely start the league campaign, including Joe Kennett, Joe Nelder and last weeks hero Dean Grant. The match started in brilliant sunshine but within 10 minutes the rain was pouring down making the conditions very slippery. Danny Lawrence, Michael Turner, James Turner, Jordan Casey, Connor Sanders, Cameron George and Nathan Eastwood all created chances but the net was never seriously in danger of bulging.

Herne Bay were winning the midfield battle and encroaching into the Bromley Green final third but the efforts on goal were ineffectual. At the other end, Bay goalkeeper, Jack Delo was largely a spectator and it was not until the 38th minute that Bromley Green mounted their first attack. Two corners came to nothing and Delo was not tested.

James Turner came very close early in the second period when his left-foot curler went agonisingly past the far post. Ten minutes into the second half Sam Denly made the first changes. Tom Axford came on for Cameron George and Luke Prentice was introduced for Jack Delo. Casey, Sam Hasler and Lawrence all had half-chances before Lawrence was forced off in the 62nd minute with a leg injury. The substitution gave the Herne Bay fans their first look at Jamie O’Connell who showed the class that he had played at a higher level but despite some fine movement and interplay he never had the opportunity to show his goalscoring credentials. Casey and the Turner twins continued to create chances and the Green keeper became more involved in the game.

Luke Prentice showed why he will be pushing Jack Delo for a starting berth when on 73 he made a fine save with his feet, the ball spun to 25 yards out and a resultant tackle gave Bromley Green a free-kick. The ball was hammered to the left peg and Prentice was up to the task tipping the ball round the post.

Steven Lloyd replaced Connor Sanders shortly afterwards and did everything that was asked of him, dominating in the air. With the clock running down Tom Axford had the chance to put Bay in front but he headed wide. Kane Harrington came on for Jordan Casey. Aaron Burnett limped off, and Connor Sanders returned to the fray. The last chance of the game saw Michael Turner bring out a great save from the Bromley Green keeper.

Not the most inspiring performance from Sam Denly’s charges but the Denly/Theze/Brown partnership will have learnt a lot today. And goalkeeping coach, Anthony Deer, must be proud to have two such fine keepers to work with. Next up is a trip to Ryman League Division One North side Chatham Town where a repeat performance would be catastrophic, but the Bay management team are too determined to let this happen again. A worrying point is the injuries to Lawrence and Burrett.

Team: Jack Delo, Nathan Eastwood, Aaron Burrett, Connor Sanders, Sam Haslett, Danny Lawrence, Sam Taylor, Cameron George, Jordan Casey, James Turner, Michael Turner. Subs used: Tom Axford, Kane Harrington, Luke Prentice, Steven Lloyd, Jamie O’Connell. Sub not used: Joe Kane.