Neither team is safe from relegation after Sam Hasler’s goal was cancelled out by Jono Richardson in a sluggish match at Winches Field.
Herne Bay came into the game in 17th place, just 8 points away from of the relegation places, their opponents went to Winches Field just two points above the bay, meaning that both teams needed a win in order to drag themselves away from the fight for survival.
Despite a quick start from both teams, there were very little opportunities for the two sets of fans to cheer about, Sittingbourne had the first major chance, but after Tom Brunt took the ball 15 yards up the pitch his long shot was easily pushed away by Jack Delo. Soon after, Tom Loynes was given enough space to turn and shoot from the edge of the area, but his effort flew directly at the goalkeeper.
Herne Bay came back and had opportunities for themselves soon after, Dean Grant’s good run down the left wing was completed by a cross towards Stuart King at the near post, but the striker was only able to put his header over.
Sam Hasler had the best chance of the first half, but after some good footwork by James Turner the midfielder was only able to steer his curling effort wide.
In the second half the match began to spark into life, after Stuart King cut inside from the left wing his powerful left footed shot found Adam Malloy and the goalkeeper needed a second opportunity to gather the ball towards his body.
After this, it wasn’t long before the deadlock was broken, Hesler collected the ball on the right wing before cutting inside past two defenders before his powerful shot was deflected off George Crimmen, sending it past Malloy to give Hearne Bay the lead, as well as giving Hasler his seventh goal of the season.
However, the bay were only leading for twelve minutes; a free kick from the left wing found Ryan Golding in the penalty area, the powerful striker headed the ball down to the feet of Jono Richardson who was able to take the ball past a defender before firing a shot across Jack Delo to give his team an equalizer.
The brickies nearly scored another directly afterwards, but after Luke Girt’s pass through to Ryan Golding, the forward forced Dalo to make a good save to tip the shot over. The visitors continued to apply pressure to Herne Bay, Joe Taylor took the ball from Girt the edge of the area and was only able to turn onto his weaker left foot, despite this, he was able to steer a brilliant shot towards the top corner of Jack Dalo’s goal, but the goalkeeper was able to leap to his right to amazingly deny the winger and keep the scores level as full time approached.
Neither team would have wanted a draw going into the final matches of the season, Herne Bay remain in 17th, but are now only seven points away from the relegation zone after other results didn’t go their way. Sittingbourne drop one place to 16th and remain nine points away from the danger zone, the brickies only have four games left to take themselves away from danger while Herne Bay still have 5 games remaining.
Herne Bay: Delo, M Turner, Sayer, Brown, Benner, J Turner (O’Connell), Hasler, Nelder (Page), King (Butler), Casey, Dean Grant
Subs not used: Settouf, Cutts
Booked: Nelder, J Turner, Hasler
Sittingbourne: Molloy, Brunt, Richardson, Davis, Crimmen (Spencer), Dunsdon, Taylor, Girt, Golding, Akhazzan (Okoh), Loynes (Gallagher)
Subs not used: Mansary, Bell
Attendance: 235