Match Report

Herne Bay: Ben Hunter,Bradley Schafer, Raphe Brown, Jack Steventon, Danny Rumbol, Danny Leonard, Connor Wilkins, Josh Wisson,
Jake Embery, Junior Aikhionbare, Nassim Dukali
Subs Used: Alex Mulrooney-Skinner (Brown 60)Tom Carlton (Wilkins 74) Jardel Bunda-Kamara (Leonard 90)
Subs not used: Jarred Trespaderne, Ryan Catmull
Man of the match: Danny Leonard

Following Tuesday evenings result this was the perfect response from the players. VCD Athletic came to Winch’s Field with three consecutive victories and were quietly confident of maintaining their run. In fact, apart from the opening 20 minutes they were always chasing the game. Junior Aikhionbare showed Bay’s intent as early as the 2nd minute when his curling shot from outside the area saw Joe Mant stretching to turn the ball around the post. On 15 minutes Aikhionbare was put through ‘one-on-one’ but Mant saved well again. Junior was not to be denied and from Nassim Dukali’s free kick, the ball fell to his feet and he side stepped the defender to tuck the ball over the line. VCD’s only response was for their forwards to chase the long clearances from Mant but Bay’s defence protected their goal very confidently.
Dukali was very unlucky not to double the lead just before the interval; his mazy run through the VCD’s defence, followed by a low shot grazed the wrong side of the upright. Ben Hunter came to the rescue right on half time when he saved a fine Rashid Kamara volley from inside the box which looked like it might sneak in at the near post.

The second half was virtually one way traffic, with Bay controlling the play with swift inter-passing and rapid attacks down both flanks and it was only a matter of time before they increased the lead. The second goal duly arrived with Jake Embery showing great strength to hold off the defenders challenge, racing into the area and stroking the ball under the keeper into the bottom corner. VCD’s play was getting more and more ragged, using robust challenges in an attempt to slow down the speed of Bay’s play. Their captain Derek Duncan, was forced to pull back Aikhionbare in the box and Dukali made no mistake from the spot kick. Three nil up and still 22 minutes to play.
The final goal came in the 77th minute and what a strike this was. Jack Steventon brought the ball out of his half and ran at the tiring defence, who just kept back pedalling. Jack advanced further before unleashing a thunderbolt shot which flew into the top corner giving Mant no chance whatsoever.

A really impressive performance from the boys today, giving the supporters something to really cheer about, and cheer they did. It is absolutely brilliant hearing the comments from the terraces about the quality football these youngsters are playing; long may it continue. Largest gate of the season so far, hopefully, as the word spreads, more supporters will come and watch this vibrant football being played.