Match Report

Ray Kelly Writes...
Herne Bay defeated Ashford United 2-0 in the first round of the Kent Reliance Senior Cup at the Altira Stadium Tuesday night to set up a second round tie against Margate (at home , date T.B.A.). The Bay were first to put the Ashford defence on the back foot when after only 3 minutes a flashing header from Jake Embery just went wide of the Ashford goal. This was followed up on 10 minutes with a Jake Embery shot that was well saved by the Ashford goalkeeper Aaron Lee-Wharton. In the 16th minute Ashford's Tyrell Richardson-Brown went close with a hard driven shot that was deflected away for a corner, from the resulting cross Matthew Day headed over from 10 yards. Jack Paxman and Nassim Dakali were providing plenty of crosses from both flanks but the clinical finish was lacking from the Herne Bay forwards . Ashford started to get into the game as the half wore on but good defending by Jono Richardson and Jack Steventon kept the Ashford forwards at bay. On 33 minutes Kieran Bull's long range effort was well taken by the Bay custodian Ben Hunter and a minute later Ben was on hand to deal with a Charlie Sharp shot. Herne Bay were let off the hook when in the 38th minute when a Dave Botterill free kick from 25 yards grazed the Bay crossbar with Ben Hunter well beaten. In the 42nd minute Ben Hunter once again came to the rescue when he superbly saved a rasping shot from Ashford's Matthew Day.
Half Time 0-0.
Herne Bay had the best of the first half but failed to get behind the Ashford defence and were guilty of giving the ball away , to many times. Herne Bay were first on the attack in the second half and after only a minute Jack Paxman crossed a superb ball in but Jake Embery just failed to make contact in front of goal. Herne Bay made a double sub. in the 53rd minute , bringing on Edward Bensley and Ryan Catmull in place of Danny Leonard and Jack Paxman. A few minutes later Ashford also made a change bringing on Trinn Hallen-Brisley for Jonathon Difford. Herne Bay started to get on top and in the 70th minute Bradley Schafer crashed in a shot from 18 yds to put the Bay 1-0 up. Darnell Weise replaced Jarred Trespaderne on 71 minutes. Herne Bay went looking to increase their lead and it duly came with 10 minutes left on the clock when Harry Miller fed a great ball through to Jake Embery who lashed in a great shot that gave the Ashford Keeper no chance . 2-0 to the Bay. Further chances fell to Nassim Dakali and Darnell Weise in the final minutes but they couldn't convert.
Final score 2-0 to Herne Bay.
Team ; B.Hunter J.Paxman N.Dakali J.Steventon J.Richardson J.McKinley H.Miller D.Leonard J.Embury B.Schafer J.Trespaderne.
Subs. used ; D.Weise E.Bensley R.Catmull. Unused ; J Oseyemi Kingsley Aikhionbare.