Match Report

Ray Kelly Writes….
For the the first time in Herne Bay's history a F.A. Cup match was played at the Altira Stadium on a Sunday. This was due to the Air Show held in the town on Saturday. Chessington and Hook United (comb Counties League Div. 1 ) were the visitors in this preliminary round. With a prize of £1925. for the eventual winners, and after a hard contest Herne Bay won by a 2-1 score line. Herne Bay attacked from the kick off and after only two minutes they should have taken the lead when Kingsley Aikhionbare made a good run down the left before crossing to Josh Wisson who slammed the ball just wide of the post. Back came Chessington with George Isaacs heading low into the Bay goal only for the Herne Bay custodian Ben Hunter to pull off a great save. From the resulting clearance the Bay's Kingsley Aikhionbare lashed the ball home with a wonderful bicycle kick after Jono Richardson had headed against the bar. 1-0 to the Bay on 7 minutes. Herne Bay started taking control of the game but the Herne Bay defence were tested several times by the Chessington forwards Seb Morrally and Cameron Petters but found the Herne Bay defence solid and well marshalled by the Captain Jono Richardson. Herne Bay were given a scare on 35 minutes when the Chessington centre forward Robbie Ellis blazed over from 10 yards. At the other end , twice Herne Bay had penalty appeals waived away by the Referee Mr. Kikulwe much to the dismay of most people in the ground. On 41 minutes Herne Bay doubled their lead following a Tom Carlton corner that eventually found Jono's foot and he flicked in with aplomb. 2-0 to the Bay. Three minutes later Kingsley Aikhionbare almost made it 3-0 but Josh Wyatt in the Chessington goal saved well at his feet.
Half Time 2-0 Herne Bay.
The second half was only a minute old when Cameron Petters stunned the Bay faithful by waltzing through a static Herne Bay defence to slot past Ben Hunter. 2-1 on 46 minutes. An injured Josh Wisson was replaced by Harry Miller a minute later. Chessington were having the better of the second half and only good defending kept out the lively Chessington forwards with 25 minutes left on the clock Herne Bay started to push up field in search of another goal and when Tom Carlton was brought down in the area everyone expected the Referee to point to the spot but once again he waived play on much to the amazement of everyone. On 75 minutes Alex mulrooney-Skinner and Bradley Schafer were replaced by Jack Paxman and Edward Bensley for Herne Bay . The game should have been put to bed in the 78th minute but Harry Miller skied his effort from 10 yards out. For the final 10 minutes the ebbed and flowed from end to end but the Bay hung on to the win.
This was a very entertaining game but spoilt by some strange refereeing moments.

Team ; B.Hunter N. Dukali R.Brown J.Steventon J.Richardson
J McKinley T.Carlton B.Schafer A.Mulrooney-Skinner K.Aikhionbare J.Wisson.

Subs ; J.Embrey J.Trespaderne J.Paxman E.Bensley R.Budd.