Herne Bay’s unbeaten ten match run came to an end with this narrow defeat at the hands of league leaders and Champions Elect, Burgess Hill Town.

“Disappointed! As a squad for the unbeaten record to come to an end like that, it’s a shame”, lamented Herne Bay manager Sam Denly, “the boys were excellent second half and things have gone against us today and we’ve come away feeling a little bit hard done by”.

That last sentiment referred chiefly to what would have been an equalising goal 12 minutes after the break when Lovell’s header was disallowed when he and the Hillian’s ‘keeper came together both rising for the left wing cross. Lovell appeared to get there first but the decision by the man in the middle went against him. It served only to spur the home side on and that they did not get anything from the match was not for want of trying.

The first 45 had been all Burgess Hill. Playing with the wind at their backs they launched successive attacks on the Bay goal which proved unsuccessful until seconds before the half time whistle.

Three goal-line clearances in the space of 30 seconds in the 17^th minute kept the home side level. Jack Delo denied Calum Saunders in the 28^th and although the visitors pounded away the door remained firmly closed until Lee Harding swept home a deflected cross with the tea urn already boiling in preparation for the half time cuppas.

After the interval, Herne Bay stepped up a gear and at times were in overdrive. There was, of course, that denial of Mark Lovell’s effort. It was not the only chance they had as they swept forward time and time again pinning the Hillians in their own half for long periods.

A double substitution in the 66^th minute by Denly, receiving brotherly moral support from Kent & England batsman Joe in the stands, saw Dan Bent and Danny Spiller enter the fray. Bent in particular took command of midfield and through him, aided by Spiller’s superior technical ability, much that was good flowed.

The final 10 minutes were truly worthy of the term ‘Alamo’ as Bay strode forward forcing corner after corner. Jordan Casey blasted a good chance over and, in the dying seconds, the ball ricocheted off the angle of bar and post.

“It was all them first half and we couldn’t wait for half time but second half we dominated it and the last few minutes they were hanging on”, said Denly,

“Lovell’s goal was never a free kick, you deserve a bit of luck playing against good sides and we don’t feel we got that today. I’ve said to the boys that they should feel proud of themselves, they’ve been outstanding the last few months and to get a shout at the play offs is a fantastic achievement. We’re good enough, we’ve shown that, we’ve given the league leaders a very good run for their money. We know we’re good enough to make the play offs, we’ve got to go and do the job now”.

 

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner (Jordan Casey 71), Gary Sayer, Dan Johnson, Liam Quinn, Nathan Eastwood (Dan Bent 65), Danny Walder, Joe Nelder (Danny Spiller 65), Steven Ita, Mark Lovell, Sam Hasler.

Subs Not Used: Harry Brown, James Turner.

Cautions: Sam Hasler.  Sent Off: none

 

Burgess Hill Town: Josh James, Toby Ponting, Sam Fisk, Darren Budd (Dan Perry 71), Andy Pearson, Will Miles, Scott Kirkwood, Joe Keehan, Pat Harding, Lee Harding, Calum Saunders (Rob O’Toole 58).

Subs Not Used: Graham Martin, Dan Pearce, Tom Bold.

Cautions: Darren Budd. Sent Off: none

 

Man of the Match: Liam Quinn (Herne Bay)

 

Referee: Christopher Myatt                   Assistants: David Lunani & DeQuincey Bailey.

 

Herne Bay (0) 0

 

Burgess Hill Town (1) 1

Lee Harding 45

 

Attendance: 261

 

(Photo credit: Steve Barton – Mark Lovell’s ‘equaliser’ is disallowed.)