Match report

John Bathurst writes ....

Ever since we have competed in the Isthmian League we have always struggled to get a win over Faversham Town at Salters Lane but today it all changed. Apart from the first 15 minutes we completely outplayed the Lilywhites in all departments. Goal keeper, Ben Hunter, only had one save to make, and he did that with aplomb in the 90th minute keeping out Jordan Casey’s deflected free kick.
The first half ended goal-less but Herne Bay had five golden opportunities to score and on four of them keeper Simon Overland pulled off superb saves to keep his side in the game.
Faversham’s long ball game, throughout the first half, relying on the pace of Renford Tenyue and Liam King, caused Bay’s defence a few problems early on but once they got the measure of Faversham’s tactics it was no contest.
The second half was virtually one way traffic and it would be only a matter of time before the deadlock was broken. It nearly came in the opening minute of the half, but somehow Town managed to clear for a corner. From the corner a fierce Jono Richardson header was headed off the line by Tenyue.
It was the introduction of Jake Embery and Nassim Dukali in the 61 and 65 minute that did the trick. Their pace was too much for the tiring Town’s defence and it was these two players that started the move for the opening goal; Dukali flicks the ball to Embery who races down the line, passes to Leonard. Leonard moves into the box moves the ball to his left and shoots. Matt Bourne tries to block the shot but the ball loops over the head of Overland.
Bay piled on the pressure and 10 minutes later Dukali doubles the lead; Embery again the playmaker, his low cross finds Dukali who raced into the box to side foot past Overland. Dukali wrapped up a fine 25 minute cameo performance with the best goal of the game. Jack Steveton puts Dukali clear on the left. As his marker backs away he cuts inside putting two defenders out of the game, rounds a third defender and smashes a volley wide of the keeper. Game over.

Herne Bay: Ben Hunter, Tom Carlton, Raphe Brown, Jack Steventon, Jono Richardson, Danny Rumbol, Danny Leonard, Connor Wilkins, Alex Mulrooney-Skinner, Junior Aikhionbare, Bradley Schafer
Subs Used: Jake Embery (Rumbol 61) Nassim Dukali (Mulrooney-Skinner 79) Josh Wisson(Carlton 79)
Subs not used: Jarred Trespaderne, Jai McKinlay