Herne Bay put themselves back into play-off contention with this dominant display ending Whyteleafe’s winning away run.

Despite being in 13^th place, the Bay are a mere 3 points off the play-off berths with games in hand over most of the teams above them in this tightly packed and competitive division.

“For me, that’s probably one of the best performances they’ve given me”, said Herne Bay manager Sam Denly, “it was a complete performance, it should have been four or five, we’ve absolutely dominated the game tonight. We were outstanding right the way across the park, so many individual performances, I couldn’t name one, everyone was excellent”.

The first half was an even affair, neither side gaining too much advantage over the other with the best chance of the match falling to Bay’s Sam Hasler shortly before the interval. Nelder and Lovell exchanged a one two in quick time on the half way line with Nelder continuing his left wing foray before crossing to the far post but the chance fell to Hasler on his not so favoured right fight and his effort rippled side netting rather than bulging the back of it.

After the interval, it was mostly one way traffic with the home side pressing forward at every opportunity with ground hugging short passing moves that opened up the visitor’s defence. Strangely, it was a penalty though that gave Herne Bay the only important statistical advantage of the evening.

Awarded a free kick, Hasler sent the ball into the ‘leafe’ area and Danny Walder was pulled back as he attempted to latch on to it in the 52^nd minute. Walder made no mistake from the spot. Soon after, the hard working Joe Nelder nipped in smartly to reach a ball destined for the ‘keepers’ hands, took it round him but shot into the side netting.

Herne Bay continued to press but couldn’t add to that solitary successful strike from 12 yards but three points for the second match running brought Bay back into play-off contention, it that is, it is acceptable to consider such matters at this stage of the season.

“I’ve said to the lads we’ve got to win the games in hand, but if we play like that we’ll win our fair share of them”, said Herne Bay manager Sam Denly, “they’re a good side Whyteleafe, I don’t think anyone could pick the top five this year. There are so many teams in contention this year and we are one of them, there’s no question about that”.

 

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Dan Johnson, Liam Quinn, Connor Sanders, Danny Walder (Nathan Eastwood 69), Joe Nelder (Kane Phillip 81), Mark Lovell (Danny Williams 73), Elliot Cutts, Sam Hasler.

Subs not used: Steven Ita, James Turner.

Sent Off: none  Cautioned: Sam Hasler.

 

Whyteleafe: Bailey Vose, Dean Hamlin, Nathan Simpson, Vernon Francis, Jahmahl King, Tommy Smith, Sam Clayton, Daryl Coleman (Jenson Grant 85), Ike-Robertson Feehi, Jamie Byatt (Dan Moody 70), Ryan Fowler.

Subs not used: Louis Hoolingsworth (only 3 subs named)..

Sent Off: None  Cautioned: Sam Clayton, Dean Hamlin.

 

Referee:  Stuart Butler               Assistant Referees: Damian Mirzadeh & Steve Perry.

Man of the Match: Liam Quinn (Herne Bay)

 

Herne Bay (0) 1

Danny Walder 52 (pen)

 

Whyteleafe (0) 0

Joel Aitkin 28

 

Attendance: 151

 

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)

Tuesday 10^th November 2015.

(at The Altira Park Stadium, Winch’s Field)

 

 

(photo credit: HBFC Library photo – Danny Walder)