Match Report

 Ray Kelly writes
Herne Bay v Walton Casuals

Herne Bay produced a stunning display to defeat table toppers and until today, unbeaten, Walton Casuals 3-1 in the first qualifying round of the Emirates FA.Cup. Managers John Embury and Jermaine Darlington have blended together a youthful team that are fast, very skilful and becoming the surprise package in the Bostik League South.
Herne Bay were on the back foot for the opening 15 minutes as Casuals dominated possession, they squandered two good chances in the 15th and 16th minutes when Roscoe D'Sane and Daryl Coleman both blazed over when both were well placed.
Bay started to get into the game with surging runs down both flanks, by Raphe Brown and Connor Wilkins, and were nearly rewarded in the 31st minute when the Casuals keeper Denzel Gerrar just managed to grab the ball at the feet of Junior Aikhionbare. Five minutes later Aikhionbare was not to be denied, gave Bay the lead after a good surging from Bradley Schafer was met with a rasping shot from Aikhionbare, giving Denzel Gerrar no chance.
Casuals fought back and only Ben Hunter saved a stinging shot from D'Sane preventing parity. Back at the other end Gerrrar had to be on his toes to keep out a fine effort from Schafer. Walton Casuals continued to press but could find no way past a resolute Herne Bay defence.
Bay started the second half looking the better side with Tom Carlton, Aikhionbare and Alex Mulrooney-Skinner all going close. Mulrooney-Skinner, in particular, was giving their defence a torrid time.
On 67 minutes a 'soft' penalty was awarded when Jono Richardson was adjudged, by the assistant referee, to have fouled Casuals 17 year old protege, Josh Kelly; against the run of play it must be said. D'Sane made no mistake from the spot kick. A number of substitutes followed , with Casuals putting on Evander Ellisio-Brito-Lopes for Issac Sarpong and Bay introducing Nassim Dukali and Jake Embury who replaced Aikhionbare and Carlton.
A revitalised Herne Bay side soon gained the upper hand, pushing forward with ex Walton Casuals player, Dukali causing their defence real problems with his flair and skill. It did not take long before Bay restored their lead when a Connor Wilkins cross was met by Alex Mulrooney-Skinner to dispatch an unstopable shot past Gerrar from close range.
With two minutes to go Casuals liveliest forward, D'Sane, had a good chance to level but the ever alert Hunter raced out and saved superbly . A minute later the tie was put to bed by Dukali who raced down the left flank, cut in past the defender and fired a stunning volley wide of Gerrar.
At the final whistle the Herne Bay crowd stood their ground to applaud the team off the field. The supporters of this new team are really buying into the ethos of the brand of football they are playing and as the word spreads the gates will surely increase. The future looks very bright for the blue and white.

Team ; Hunter Rumbol Brown Steventon Richardson Leonard Wilkins Carlton Mulrooney-Skinner Aikhionbare Schaffer
Subs. Embry Dukali Wisson McKinlay Trespaderne Catmull Carey (g/k).