MATCH REPORT

Whyteleafe F.C. 6 (2) - (2) 2 Herne Bay F.C.
Tuesday 10th October 2017
Looking to bounce back from their exit from the F.A. Trophy, Herne Bay started this match without the services of Captain Jono Richardson. Josh Wisson donned the No.5 shirt, with Jack Steventon wearing the Captain’s arm-band.
In an opening 15 minutes that would be dominated by the home side, it was the visitors who crafted the first opening when Jake Embery – having made himself space for a shot – fired his effort against the body of a defender. It did not take long for Whyteleafe to get their noses in front when Jerry Amoo reacted quickest to a loose ball to fire across Ben Hunter and give his side a 7th minute lead. Herne Bay forced the games’ first corner after 15 minutes, and a minute later they were level when Danny Rumbol headed home Tom Carlton’s free-kick. This signalled the start of a good period for Herne Bay, with Jarred Trespaderne and Nassim Dukali – with a trademark cut inside – almost putting the visitors in front. However, in the 37th minute, it was Nkori Bola who side-stepped Danny Rumbol before finding the net to restore Whyteleafe’s lead. To their credit, Herne Bay bounced back from that and levelled matters in the 42nd minute. Neat work from Raphe Brown and Jake Embery created an opening for Tom Carlton who made no mistake from the corner of the six-yard box.
So going into the break at 2-2, the Bay’s travelling fans had every right to feel confident. The second half however, was largely one-way traffic!
Andrew Musungu and Sam Clayton had already missed two good chances before Clayton shot low and hard to once again restore Whyteleafe’s lead. Sadly this was to be the start of a nightmare period for Herne Bay, as the home sides pacey wide men dominated. On the hour, a miss-kick from Jack Steventon let in Daniel Asakame to make it 4-2. A fantastic run and shot from substitute Ambrosi Gnamore made it 5-2, and it was another substitute , Scott Day whose header from a corner made it 6-2 ! Herne Bay huffed and puffed to try and stem the tide, but were it not for two great saves from Ben Hunter, the margin of victory could have been even wider for Whyteleafe.
HERNE BAY : Ben Hunter, Danny Rumbol, Raphe Brown, Jack Steventon ( Ryan Catmull 72), Josh Wisson, Brad Schafer, Alex Mulrooney-Skinner, Tom Carlton, Jake Embery, Jared Trespaderne, Nassim Dukali. Subs (not used): Jardel Bunda-Kamara, Sammy Meziane, Tom Lindsey.
Referee: Paul Johnson Attendance: 95

Doug Smith