Two Goals, Two Halves, Two Points Dropped.

Two Goals, Two Halves, Two Points Dropped.

Herne Bay (2) 2
Brown 12, Nelder 43

Horsham (0) 2
Kaffo 51, King 67

Attendance: 215

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Saturday 30th November 2013.
Winch’s Field

by Steve Barton

The old cliché that football is a game of two halves was certainly true of Horsham’s visit to Winch’s Field. Herne Bay dominated the first period and went into the break with a two goal lead only for the Hornets to score twice themselves in the second half.

Again it was an unfamiliar back four with Connor Sanders still out with whiplash and Steven Lloyd not risked following his dislocated shoulder and broken nose from the week before. Joe Kennett returned to partner Gary Sayer in the centre of defence with Michael Turner and Nathan Eastwood on the flanks. Danny Lawrence and Joe Nelder anchored midfield with Ben Brown coming in for the suspended Danny Walder. With Stuart King still struggling with his hamstring injury Jamie O’Connell played up front with Sam Hasler and Dean Grant in support.

Horsham came into the match on the heels of a 5-1 drubbing by Folkestone Invicta and their defensive frailties were shown early on as repeated errors gave Bay hope. The opening goal was of comedic proportions as Horsham keeper Michael Hunter came out of his goal to thwart an oncoming Jamie O’Connell. Ben Brown nipped in to take the ball off the toes of the hapless custodian and slide the ball into an empty net from 20 yards in the 11th minute. The Hornets chances came from several free kicks from the edge of the box but all came to nothing.

Herne Bay were in full control and Ben Brown was in a creative mood as firstly he slid Jamie O’Connell through on goal only for the ball to find the side netting, and secondly a sublime defence bisecting ball fell to Dean Grant who choose to use the outside of his right foot instead of the easier option of his left peg. Horsham came close to equalising, again from a set piece, when Ryan Marriott bent the ball around the wall and just inches wide of the upright.

Two minutes before the break Herne Bay went further ahead. Sam Hasler’s 35-yard curling free kick found the head of Joe Nelder and the ball looped into the net. Bay looked promising as they came out for the second period and a Joe Nelder cross was met by Jamie O’Connell, but his header went past the post.

Then came the change in fortunes. On 51 some great work from Scott Harris put through Junior Kaffo who made no mistake at close range. Nervous times followed, Kane Phillip came on for Sam Hasler and Jordan Casey replaced Jamie O’Connell. Joe Nelder became the first Bay player to receive a yellow. It was Horsham who looked most likely to score next and the goal came in the 67th minute when Billy-Joe King thumped a rasping shot in from distance. Bay’s closest chance of the half came with 10 minutes left on the clock when Michael Hunter, who had looked decidedly suspect thus far, tipped a Joe Nelder piledriver over the bar.

Both sides pushed forward for the winner with James Turner strengthening the attack at the expense of Dean Grant. Jordan Casey, Ben Brown and Nathan Eastwood were all added to Mr. Ramsey’s book. A late flurry by the Bay saw the ball ricocheting around with most having a pop at goal before Joe Nelder shot over.

The Winch’s Field faithful were in an uncompromising mood, and whilst 14th place and four points from six is a good return it really should have been more. December sees some tough fixtures ahead and with injuries and suspensions affecting team selection it will be a tough test for Sam Denly’s young squad. The inexperienced and naïve will need to learn quickly.

Herne Bay team: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Danny Lawrence, Joe Kennett,Nathan Eastwood, Sam Hasler (Kane Phillip 54), Joe Nelder, Jamie O'Connell (Jordan Casey 62), Ben Brown, Dean Grant (James Turner 78).

Subs not used: Steven Lloyd, Elliot Cuts