Play Off Points Dropped

Herne Bay (0) 0

Redhill (0) 0

at Winch’s Field

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Saturday 28th March 2015.

Attendance: 201

by Ray Kelly

(photo credit: Steve Barton – Redhill ‘keeper Rhys Hughes foils another Herne Bay attack.)

Herne Bay’s push for a play off place came to a shuddering halt at home to Redhill. Redhill belied there position at the foot of the League table with a shut out 0-0 draw. With Whitstable and Worthing also drawing, Whylefeafe increased their own points tally with a 3-1 win, leaving the Bay 7 points and a game in hand behind.

“It does feel like a loss, I’m disappointed”, said Herne Bay manager Sam Denly, “we lacked a lot of quality in the final third but Redhill have got to take credit, they’re scrapping for points down the bottom and they made it hard for us”.

It was an all action start to the first half with Redhill setting out at a frantic pace but it was the Bay who had the first chance on 3 minutes when Liam Quinn headed over from a Danny Walder corner. Herne Bay were saved by the cross bar on 5 minutes when Redhills Frankie Sawyer headed against the bar from close in, 2 minutes later Ross Morley broke through the Bay defence but he fired well wide

Herne Bay started to get on top and after 20 minutes Sam Hasler unleashed a rasping shot that the Redhill keeper,Rhys Hughes brilliantly tipped over the bar. A minute later Redhill lost George Craddock through injury and he was replaced by Jack Barton. Herne Bay continued to press the Redhill defence and chances fell to Steven Ita and Sam Hasler but neither could convert. Just on half time Casey Johnson burst through the Bay defence and set up Ross Morley but thankfully he also fired wide.

Herne bay started the second half much quicker and it wasn’t long before a good run and cross from Danny Spiller found Mark Lovell but he fluffed his effort in front of goal. Both Managers made changes, Sam Hasler was replaced by Joe Nelder and Redhill put on Lewis Stevens-Toomey for John Difford. Joe Nelder made his presence felt three minutes later when his fierce shot was blocked on the line by Redhill full back Rob Hill. On 70 minutes a fracas broke out between the players. The referee Mr.Karl May booked 5 players including Liam Quinn, Dan Bent and Steven Ita from the Bay team and Michael Olarewaju and Jack Barton from Redhill.The action can only be described as ‘handbags’

On 75 minutes Jordan Casey replaced Mark Lovell. Herne Bay should have taken the lead on 80 minutes when Jordan Casey headed over from 6 feet with the goal at his mercy. This summed up the Bays afternoon.

There were a couple of positives to take from this game, firstly the Bay defence of Liam Quinn
Jack Delo and Gary Sayer have only conceded 7 goals in the last 14 games ahd the form of
Danny Spiller and Steven Ita has been superb.

“Frustrating has got to be the word”, bemoaned Denly, “but listen, we’ve been decent, we’re sixth in the league. Over the course of the game we’ve had enough chances to win it but another clean sheet, we take the point and move on. Mathematically we can still do it (make the play-offs) but it’s in Whyteleafe’s hands, we just want to finish as high as we can. It would be lovely to go down there last game of the season with something on it but it’s not in our control now”.

Bay ‘keeper Jack Delo, meanwhile, is celebrating 4 clean sheets in five games in March, that odd game out was the 1-0 reverse at the hands of champions elect Burgess Hill Town; surely he must be in line for the Golden Gloves Award!

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Dan Bent, Liam Quinn, Harry Brown, Danny Walder (James Turner 90), Danny Spiller, Steven Ita, Mark Lovell (Jordan Casey 80), Sam Hasler (Joe Nelder 67).

Subs Not Used: Dan Johnson, Nathan Eastwood.

Cautions: Liam Quinn, Steven Ita, Dan Bent, James Turner, Harry Brown. Sent Off: none

Herne Bay Man of the Match: Danny Spiller

Referee: Karl May Assistants: Peter Cruise & Steve Perry