Herne Bay produced the unexpected today. After a winless run of five games they produced one their best displays of the season against one of the better footballing sides in the league, beating, and deservedly so, 2nd placed Carshalton Athletic.

The Robins were on a high after their midweek victory over league leaders, Lewes and started the game very strongly forcing Bay to defend deep in their own half. But it was Bay who had the first meaningful chance of scoring; Tom Carlton’s free kick narrowly going wide.

The first real scare for Bay came when Bradley Schafer failed to control the ball deep in the Robins half. The ball was moved quickly to Ricky Korboa who raced through the defence to power a low cross which Mikel Miller could only sky over the bar.

More pressure from the hosts brought Ben Hunter into the game who thwarting a couple of quick attacks and goal threats. The defensive line with former Robins’ player, Richard Ismail, making his debut alongside Jono Richardson, were very resilient and together with Schafer and Jack Steventon prevented the constant threat of the lively forwards Miller, Korboa and Raheem Sterling-Parker at bay and take the teams in level at the break.

Bay started the second half very strongly and had two great chances to open the scoring. Back came the Robins with Hunter saving well from Miller.

A change of tactics saw Bay playing a longer ball out of defence and this caused panic in Carshalton’s back line as they scrambled a couple of efforts off their goal line. It was end to end play but the hosts were still looking dangerous forcing three goal mouth clearances in good five minute spell, but still the defence held firm.

Then the game turned as Jake Embery latched onto a through ball but as the defender tried to force him off the ball Jake coolly lobbed the keeper from the edge of the box to give Bay the lead.

This was all the confidence Bay needed as they took control of the game. Carshalton tried to respond but the new long ball approach kept their attacking defenders from advancing forward as they did in the first half.

Carlton seemed to be involved in every attack Bay made and was unlucky not to add his name on the team sheet; all of his efforts seemed to be blocked or deflected away but his cross into the box late in the game, was being knocked around like a pinball as Embery and Nassim Dukali produced shots but it was substitute Josh Wisson, only on the pitch for 3 minutes, who managed to force the ball over the line to extend the lead.

The Robins were still a threat and in the closing minutes, two brilliant saves by Hunter from Miller ensured a really impressive victory to make the homeward trip for the faithful travelling fans a very pleasant journey.

Saturday 16th December 2017

Bostik League Division One South

Carshalton Athletic 0-2 Herne Bay

Att: 263

(Goals: Embery, Wisson)
Herne Bay: Ben Hunter, Mohamed Kamara, Jack Steventon, Jono Richardson, Bradley Schafer , Connor Wilkins, Tom Carlton, Jake Embery, Junior Aikhionbare, Nassim Dukali

Subs Used: Danny Leonard (Aikhionabare 70) Tyler Myers (Kamara 55) Josh Wissen (Wilkins 80)

Subs not used: , Danny Rumbol, Ryan Catmull

Man of the Match: Ben Hunter

Report by John Bathurst