Bay Not On Song At Woodstock

Bay Not On Song At Woodstock

Sittingbourne (2) 4
Taylor 12 & 90 (pen), Loynes 33, Okoh 82

Herne Bay (1) 2
King 27, Turner 87

Attendance: 151

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Saturday 26th October 2013.
Woodstock Park

by Steve Barton

The Bay faithful declared this Herne Bay’s worst performance of the season when they travelled to Woodstock Park to meet Sittingbourne who were sitting one spot above the relegation places. It may have been a hang-over from the disappointment of the FA Trophy exit, the bobbling playing surface or the swirling winds, but whatever the reason Sam Denly will need to pick the players up and move forward quickly.

Joe Taylor put the Brickies in front on 12 minutes when he found himself with the ball on the edge of the area and struck past Jack Delo. Bay were level 15 minutes later when Stuart King forced the ball past ‘keeper Adam Molloy from a tight angle before Sittingbourne restored their lead when Herne Bay Youth product Tom Loynes was alone just inside the area and slotted past Delo in the 33rd minute.

Bay were found wanting in every department, their passing was poor, control inept and decision-making questionable. Bourne were not that much better but as each Herne Bay passage of play broke down the strike force of Taylor, Loynes and Ryan Golding sought to take advantage.

The game meandered on for a further 45 minutes with little excitement and with James Turner on for Dean Grant and Ben Brown replacing Steven Lloyd, Bay looked for the equaliser. But it was Sittingbourne who went further ahead when new signing Stephen Okoh stooped to head in a low cross. Hope came in the 87th minute when Danny Walder swung in a free-kick which was met at the far post by Joe Nelder. His header came back across the face of the goal for James Turner to head into the roof of the net. Then came a bizarre moment as Delo clashed with a red shirt following a wayward Nathan Eastwood header, Referee Hillier waved play on, and with the ball heading for the net he then decided to award the penalty and send off Delo. Taylor picked the ball out of the back of the net and placed it on the 12-yard spot. He tucked his penalty under the body of stand-in goalkeeper Sam Hasler and Bay sunk to 18th in the League Table after 13 matches.

The Herne Bay supporters’ verdict? Must do better!

Herne Bay team: Jack Delo, Nathan Eastwood, Michael Turner, Danny Walder, Connor Sanders, Steven Lloyd (Ben Brown 77), Sam Hasler, Joe Nelder, Jordan Casey, Stuart King, Dean Grant (James Turner 60).

Subs not used: Jamie O’Connell, Harry Brown, Kane Phillip.