Match Report

Tuesday 6th February 2018
Bostik League Division One South
Hythe Town 2(0) - (1)1 Herne Bay
Att: 182
(Goal: Jake Embery 6mins)

Herne Bay: Ben Hunter, Richard Ismail, Jack Steventon, Ben Gorham, Josh Wisson,
Danny Leonard, Bradley Schafer, Tom Carlton, Jake Embery, Junior Aikhionbare, Connor Wilkins
Subs Used: Miles Cornwell (Leonard 60) Sam McCallum (Steventon 75)
Subs not used: Danny Rumbol Teddy Deverson Anthony Deer

This game was another case of not taking our chances and living to regret it.
In the first twenty five minutes when Bay were dominant they scored one but squandered at least four golden scoring opportunities, which if they had taken would have most certainly ensured that they would have taken the points. As it happened two second half goals gave Hythe Town the victory and Bay’s former management team, Sam Denly, Gavin Theze and Steve Nolan the bragging rights.
Hythe gave debuts to two Gillingham players, Darren Oidaker, who has played for the 1st team and academy player, Henry Arnold. Both joined on a one month loan. Although Hythe produced the first attack it was Bay who dominated the first twenty minutes. Tom Carlton saw his shot go wide of the upright and this was followed by Jake Embery outpacing Arnold and curving his shot round the advancing Will Godman inside the near post. Spurred on by this early goal Bay attacks were relentless. Junior Aikhionbare races down the right flank before passing to an unmarked Embery, who hit a first time shot wide with his right foot, when a shot with the other would have easily beaten Godman. Another shot from Carlton goes wide. Aikhionbare receives a cross at the far post but decides to take a touch which allows both Godman and Arnold to somehow block and clear the danger. Aikhionbare again, standing unmarked 10 yards out,
receives a ball from Embery, but struggles to get the ball out of his feet, hits a weak shot straight to Godman .
All of Hythe’s attacks were coming from the right via Ryan Palmer and Zak Ansah. Time and time again the ball was moved out to the unmarked Palmer. The crosses looking for Jerson Dos Santos to head home. Fortunately Bay defended well, thwarting all of these threats. Bay held on to the single goal lead at half time but they would be rueing all of those missed chances in the second half.
The second period started much in the same vein as the first but Hythe changed their tactics are started to go route one with long balls out of defence to their front men. Bay were guilty of some poor passing,
continually giving away possession. Oidaker was beginning to be a real threat and he linked up with
Palmer, whose cross to the far post was bundled over the line by Keiron Cambell to get Hythe back on level terms. Bay had a couple of chances to restore their lead; Jack Steventon heading straight into Godman arms and Miles Cornwell placing his shot wide of Godman into the top corner, Unfortunately the referee had already blown for an infringement on Bradley Schafer.
Then Hythe got the winning goal. Oidaker threading a brilliant pass through, putting Ansah behind the back line and the ex Charlton striker made no mistake slotting the ball past Hunter into the bottom corner. Bay tried to get back into the game, pressing forward but Hythe ‘s defence stood firm. Both keepers were called upon to produce saves in the final stages. Hunter pushing Cambell’s dipping shot over the bar and Godman blocking Aikhionbare’s effort from close range.
An entertaining game but Bay must learn to make the most of the chances they are creating.