Match Report

Tuesday 27th March 2018
Bostik League Division One South
Herne Bay 4 (3) - (1) 1 South Park
Att: 148
Goals: Embery (2) Cornwell Carlton

Herne Bay: Jordan Carey, Cory Walters-Wright, Danny Rumbol, Ben Gorham, Josh Wisson,
Danny Leonard, Bradley Schafer, Tom Carlton, Jake Embery, Miles Cornwell, Darnell Weise
Subs not used: Sam Menzies John Ufuah, Sami Meziane, Joe Sharp, Henry Collins
Man of the match: Tom Carlton

With the game in doubt 45 minutes before kick off with water from a 20 minute deluge all over the pitch but with a sterling effort from ground staff and volunteers the pitch was deemed playable and with kick off delayed by 5 minutes, Herne Bay and South Park finally locked horns for the first time this season.
South Park lined up without their two recognised strikers, Keiran Lavery and Chris Smith, who have been side-lined by injuries for a number of games now. A return to Herne Bay for Izzy Adebayo, playing on the wing for South Park.
Both teams were looking to bounce back from their heavy defeats on Saturday but It took only two minutes for Bay to take the lead. A quick passing move playing out from the back involving Ben Gorham, Tom Carlton, Jake Embery put Miles Cornwell through to slot the ball wide of the young stand in keeper, Thomas Miles. South Park hit back forcing Jordan Casey into making a good save.
Danny Leonard went agonisingly close with a low shot going the wrong side of the upright. Bay were well on top but had to wait until the 39th minute. Josh Wisson knocks the ball forward to Miles Cornwell. Miles flicks it over the defender into the feet of Tom. Tom hits is first attempt against the keeper but pushes the rebound past him and strokes the ball into the empty net. Jake made it 3-0 following a goal mouth scramble the ball broke to Ben who puts Jake free on the left and he smashes the ball into the top corner.
The Sparks were still playing good football and pulled a goal back right on the stroke of half time. A mix up at the back allowed the ball to be pulled back from the bye-line, finding James McElligott free and he stroked the ball under Carey.
Spurred on by this goal South Park started the second half on the front foot and Bay were forced just to clear the ball up field, which allowed Park to dominate the first 15 minutes of the half. Once Bay got their passing game back they looked the more likely side to score. Danny Leonard raced through the back line, rounded the keeper and with the goal at his mercy, Dylan Merchant slid in, moving the ball away from Danny and the ball was cleared. Two minutes later Jake got his second and Bay’s 4th; Tom moved the ball through the crowded defence for Jake to volley home.
Bay had a couple of more chances to increase the lead both one-on-one but the keeper stood firm and thwarted these,
An entertaining game played in good spirit, on a difficult surface. A credit to both sets of players.
Unfortunately the lowest home attendance of the season but considering the conditions 45 minutes
before the start it is hardly surprizing that the supporters stayed away.