Casey Brace Bags Bonus For Bay

Herne Bay (0) 2
Casey 49, 57

Leatherhead (0) 0

Attendance: 235

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Saturday 5th April 2014.
at Winch’s Field

by Steve Barton

What a difference a week makes! Last Saturday Herne Bay left Sussex following a poor 1-0 defeat to Horsham and the last thing that they needed, after two tough midweek games, was a visit from second-placed Leatherhead, 38 points and 16 places above. Add to that, the fourth game in eight days saw Bay having to make three enforced changes within the first half.

Theo Fairweather-Johnson started lively for the visitors and in the 4th minute should have done better when his shot flew across the face of the goal, but Herne Bay had chances of their own. On seven Stuart King slid the ball through to Jamie O’Connell and with the Tanners’ defence static screaming for offside O’Connell scuffed his attempt wide of the far post. Four minutes later Ben Brown strode to the byline and his cross deflected off keeper Daren Ibrahim but just eluded O’Connell.

Then came the first injury, Stuart King limping off with a knee injury to be replaced by Jordan Casey. The battle continued, mainly in midfield, but neither side could produce a goal with their possession. An ariel challenge saw Nathan Eastwood land on his back and he became the second casualty of the day with Joe Nelder coming on.

Leatherhead took advantage of the changes and with a long ball over the top Delo came out and clashed with Kevin Terry, the winger went down, but Mr. Conn turned away the protests of the men in green. The Tanners’ manager Richard Brady continued his tirade against the officials. Ian Draycott should have put the Surrey side into the lead on 37 when he was clear on goal but his strike was wide of the mark. Casey was looking dangerous upfront and five minutes before the break his speculative shot from distance went over the bar before Joe Kennett was introduced with Connor Sanders limping off with a hamstring injury.

In front of an encouraging 235 crowd on a lovely sunny day the Bay supporters, at that stage, would have taken the draw especially when early in the second period Mohamed Eisa’s pass found Draycott but Delo was down to save with his legs. Casey turned the match to Bay’s advantage in the 49th minute when he strode forward and hammered the ball with the outside of his right peg giving Ibrahim no chance as the ball found the back of the net via the post.

This seemed to knock the stuffing out of Leatherhead and even Brady became less vociferous. Casey made it two eight minutes later when he rose majestically to meet Man of the Match Harry Brown’s cross and steer the ball past Ibrahim with his head. The news filtered in that league leaders Peacehaven & Telscombe were comfortably beating Whitstable Town which would end the Tanners’ mathematical chance of the championship and the game petered out although Tom Parkinson missed a chance for a late consolation.

50 points are now on the board and with Bay in 14th place the aim of achieving a mid-table finish moves closer and the bottom three are a long way behind.

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Harry Brown, Connor Sanders (Joe Kennett 43), George Benner, Nathan Eastwood (Joe Nelder 29), Ben Brown, Stuart King (Jordan Casey 14), Jamie O’Connell, Sam Hasler.

Subs not used: James Turner, Dean Grant