Herne Bay Howlers Hand Rams Rewards

Ramsgate (2) 5
James Everitt 33 (pen) Tom Chapman 45, Ian Pulman 48, 67 Aaron Millbank 74

Herne Bay (0) 1
Casey 60

Attendance: 224

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Saturday 11th January 2014.
Southwood

by Steve Barton

Herne Bay’s New Year was not a happy one; thumped by Ramsgate in an error strewn rout at Southwood. Despite Bay’s 6-0 away demolition of Walton Casuals it was Ramsgate who had won the Ryman South Performance of the Month Award for December following a 5-0 home win over Hastings United so Bay were looking to prove a point as well as win three. Sidelined through suspension were Connor Sanders, Sam Hasler and Ben Brown, those apart, Sam Denly had a full squad to choose from after the rain had caused postponements for the last three weeks.

The lesson that must be learnt is that if mistakes are made against a team of Ramsgate’s experience, punishment will be severe and Bay were made to pay for their errors in a 5-1 away defeat. Herne Bay started the brightest with the tormentors of Walton Casuals, Dean Grant, Jordan Casey and Stuart King, all looking dangerous and most likely to give their side the advantage, but the theme of the opening attacking exchanges was ‘high and wide’ with Bay’s trio and Ramsgate’s Aaron Millbank, Ian Pulman and James Sherman all guilty of failing to test the keeper when chances were presented.

The deadlock was broken in the 33rd minute when Danny Walder was caught napping in midfield. He was dispossessed by Macauley Murray who slotted the ball through to Pulman who was met by the advancing Jack Delo and the canny striker went to ground. Mr. Bates pointed to the spot and James Everitt tucked the ball away. Bay pushed forward for the equaliser but the margin was increased 12 minutes later when following a promising corner Walder’s attempt to put the ball back into the Rams’ box was miss-hit towards his own half. It was picked up by Pulman and his pass found Tom Chapman. Delo was in no-mans land when Chapman chipped him, and despite Delo getting a hand to the ball it nestled in the net. Two goals down at half-time did not reflect the run of play but the large contingent of Bay supporters in the 224 crowd, Ramsgate’s highest of the season, would not have been happy at the way the two goals were conceded.

Things went from bad to worse three minutes into the second period when a weak Pulman strike from the right bobbled past Delo when the stopper should have done better. On 57 Sam Denly rang the changes reverting to three at the back with Danny Lawrence replacing Gary Sayer. The move paid dividends on the hour. Joe Nelder was brought down to the right of the box and King’s wicked inswinging free kick was met with a glancing header by Jordan Casey.

Any thoughts of a comeback, though, were laid to rest in the 67th minute when a Murray corner was dropped by Delo under pressure giving Pulman the easiest of tap-ins. Further changes were made by both sides, for Herne Bay Elliot Cutts came on for his second appearance in a Bay shirt, replacing Dean Grant and Joe Nelder made way for James Turner. Ramsgate were in the ascendancy and on 74, Gillingham loanee Millbank, who had spent a month at Winch’s Field last season, made it five for the home side.

Herne Bay have played worse than this and won, but a mistake-strewn performance against a capable side will always bring one result – defeat. Three Bridges are up next at Winch’s Field and they will be looking to move further away from the relegation zone following their 1-0 victory over Whitstable. The Bay have not lost three league games on the bounce this term and Sam Denly will have to work hard with his squad to make sure that this does not happen and prevent a further slide down the league. This defeat sees Bay slip to 13th in the league table.

Herne Bay team: Jack Delo, Nathan Eastwod, Gary Sayer (Danny Lawrence 57), Danny Walder, Joe Nelder, George Benner, Michael Turner, Joe Nelder (James Turner 72), Stuart King, Jordan Casey, Dean Grant (Elliot Cutts 67).

Subs not used: Jamie O'Connell, Steven Lloyd.