Bay held by Burgess Hill at the MBS Stadium

27th November 2021
Isthmian League South East
Herne Bay 0-0 Burgess Hill Town
Att: 298

Herne Bay: Jordan Perrin, Ryan Cooper, Jack Parter, Laurence Harvey, Dan Johnson, Bode Anidugbe, Rory Smith, Hamilton Antonio, Zak Ansah, Aaron Millbank, Kieron Campbell
Subs Used: Reion McFarlane (Cooper 59), Adem Ramadan (Smith66)
Subs Not Used: JJ Naiwo, Tom Phipp, Lucas Hanley

Visitors Burgess Hill Town became the first team to prevent Herne Bay from scoring at the MBS Stadium this season, although It was a very entertaining 0-0 draw. All Bay’s players put in a great shift, but the form guide shows that the visitors’ defence is very solid, having now not conceded a goal in their last four league fixtures.

The very strong, bitterly cold wind blowing from the car park end made play extremely difficult. Bay, with the wind at their back, forced the play for most of the first half and possibly, should have scored in the period. Of the twelve, first-half goal attempts, six were on target, but with the Hillians’ custodian in fine form, the deadlock was not broken.

Aaron Millbank had Bay’s first attempt; heading a Keiron Campbell cross straight at the keeper, Taylor Seymour. Burgess Hill hit straight back with Lewis Finney striking a volley over the bar.

A quick passing move put Campbell away down the left. His cross was again met by Millbank’s head, but this time wide of the target. Rory Smith was next to test Seymour. Slick build-up play between Ryan Cooper and Hamilton Antonio, saw the ball played to Rory Smith, who fired a fierce volley, from fully 30 yards, forcing Seymour to fingertip the ball over the bar. Antonio plays Campbell through, but Seymour again saves his low drive, this time with his feet.

On the half-hour, Jack Parter races down the left flank and fires a cross/shot across the face of the goal but goes wide of the target. This was followed by Campbell driving through the defensive line and firing a low drive which Seymour comfortably saves. On a rare Burgess Hill attack, across to the far post is headed wide, followed by a driving run from Leon Moore, from his own half, before shooting wide of the upright. Smith had the last attempt of the half; a powerful volley which Seymour could only palm away for a corner.

Bay started the 2nd period with another positive attack. Parter whips the ball into the area and despite several attempts to get the ball over the line, it was eventually collected by the keeper. With the wind at their back, Burgess Hill changed their tactics, pressing high up the pitch. This concerted effort lasted for fifteen minutes but despite this, Jordan Perrin didn’t have a save to make. A poor challenge on Cooper saw Michael Campbell cautioned and Coops stretchered off. The rest of the half developed into a battle of the defences, each cancelling out any real goal threats. Millbank thought he had broken the deadlock when he smashed home after Seymour failed to hold Campbell’s shot, but the offside flag went up and the goal was ruled out. The Hillians had a good chance late in the game when Max Miller was put away clear on the right. His shot from range goes well wide. Campbell and Millbank linked up again, only for Millbank to hit the wrong side of the far post from a very tight angle. Bay had one final chance in injury time; Adem Ramadan free-kick being turned around the post for a corner.

Bay should have won this game, but credit must go to Burgess Hill whose players didn’t stop working for the whole game and at the end thoroughly deserved the share of the points.

MATCH FACTS
Herne Bay (HB) Burgess Hill Town (BH)

Corners HB 9 BH 1
Fouls HB 9 BH 7
Cautions HB 0 BH 2
Shots on target HB 8 BH 1
Shots off target HB 9 BH 7
Offside HB 4 BH 1