Bay Step Up To The Plate

Herne Bay (0) 1
Hasler 57

Sittingbourne (0) 1
Richardson 69

Attendance: 235

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Saturday 12th April 2014.
at Winch’s Field

report and photo by Steve Barton

It was not a case of who would be on the teamsheet but more one of those who were available would play as Herne Bay’s list of injured, suspended and otherwise engaged increased to leave just 12 regular first teamers to select from. It was Jamie O’Connell who missed out and he was joined on the bench by Kane Butler and Elliott Cutts from the Under 18s.

Despite the selection conundrum the match produced 90+ minutes of pure entertainment as both sides toiled for victory and the scoreline of 1-1 could well have been much, much more. Sittingbourne’s Tom Brunt and Tom Loynes both had early chances but Jack Delo was equal to the task.

The Brickies kept the ball on the ground but their quick-fire passing game brought no dividends whilst Bay’s combination of pass and move with the variation of a long ball where necessary gave the home side the better of the exchanges. Dean Grant, Stuart King, Sam Hasler and Jordan Casey all had half chances but they lacked the real killer punch. More quality in the final third was required.

Joe Taylor for Sittingbourne looked a constant danger and 10 minutes before the break a short corner found Nick Dunston and his cross was headed wide by the Brickie’s marksman. Bay could have gone into the interval two goals in front but James Turner’s curler went just past the upright and when Stuart King lobbed Sittingbourne ‘keeper Adam Molloy with the ball seemingly destined for the net, Nick Davis was on hand to clear off the line.

Both sides came out strongly in the second half and referee Aji Ajibola, under the scrutiny of an assessor, showed that he would not allow any physicality booking both Joe Nelder and James Turner. In the 57th minute the Turner twins combined to break the deadlock. James broke down the right and his pass inside found Michael who in turn moved the ball onto Stuart King who squared to Sam Hasler and another left foot screamer found the back of the net. Within two minutes Joe Nelder met Dean Grant’s cross perfectly but his shot was inches over the bar.

Sittingbourne were failing to threaten but on 69 did come back into the match. A long free-kick into the box was headed on to Jono Richardson and the defenders’ strike beat Jack Delo. Both sides made changes in their quest for the winner and Jack Delo was at his best producing a fine save from Joe Taylor. In what was not a dirty game three more yellow cards were shown; to Sittingbourne’s Ryan Golding and Tom Loynes and the Bay’s Sam Hasler.

With the clock ticking down Herne Bay had three good chances to take all three points. A great cross from Elliott Cutts found the head of Jordan Casey but with the goal at his mercy he headed straight at Adam Molloy. Sam Hasler’s right foot strike was just over the bar as was Dean Grant’s header from a Sam Hasler corner.

With matches coming thick and fast Sam Denly’s fledglings have hit a rich vein of form and whilst others begin to lag Herne Bay are playing some of their best football of the season.

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Harry Brown, George Benner, James Turner (Elliott Cutts 74), Sam Hasler, Joe Nelder (Kane Butler 85), Stuart King (Jaimie O’Connell 84), Jordan Casey, Dean Grant.

Subs not used: Elias Settouf, Jake Page