Herne Bay came within an inch of progressing at the first attempt, despite a poor first half, when Elliott Cutts’ drive came back off the inside of the post in stoppage time.

“I don’t think we were that bad first half but we weren’t as good as we should have been, that’s for sure”, said Herne Bay manager Sam Denly, “the second half we were outstanding and on a different day we would have come away comfortable winners”.

The below average crowd were left in no doubt that Walton Casuals called the tune in the first 45 minutes and might have scored more than the single strike by Luke Medley in the tenth minute. With the home side struggling to manage the ball and string passes together, Casuals sliced through the midfield with ease although Bay were aggrieved at not being awarded a penalty when James Turner ended on the ground after turning his defender.

After the break, it was akin to watching a completely different match as Bay strode forward with purpose and even more so after the introduction of Elliot Cutts and Kane Phillip, the two youngsters adding pace and width to their play. The inevitable equaliser duly arrived in the 68^th minute.

Joe Nelder won the ball in midfield, then powered his way through the visitor’s defence, slipped the ball to Danny Williams who at first looked to have missed his chance, but then drove the ball past Wellman.

Elliot Cutts could have been a match winner for Bay twice over. He slid in to meet a cross but spooned the ball over the bar, then, on the stroke of full time, dragged the ball away from his marker and struck the inside of Wellman’s left hand upright with his shot. There would have been no way back for Casuals from that but on such small margins do results rest, and off to South London Bay will go on Wednesday evening.

“Elliot was outstanding, he gets on the end of things and causes problems”, said Denly, “the second one was unlucky, he’s done everything right and he’s hit the inside of the post. That’s when you want the little bit of luck that we’re lacking at the moment.”

“He’s a good player, he won’t play every week because he’s young, he’s a key player for us and if he can keep doing that then there’s exciting times ahead for him and the team”.

 

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner (Kane Phillip 64), Gary Sayer, Dan Johnson, Liam Quinn, Connor Sanders, Danny Walder, Joe Nelder, Danny Williams, James Turner (Elliot Cutts 60), Sam Hasler.

 Subs not used: Nathan Eastwood, Georgio Russo, Harry Brown.

Sent Off: none  Cautioned: Connor Sanders, Danny Williams, Danny Walder, Sam Hasler.

 

Walton Casuals: Tom Wellman, Liam Collins, Peter Wedgeworth, Jake Nicholson, Quincey Rowe, Max Fitzgerald, John-Prince Rylah (Dan Newman 73), Jack Sammoutis, Luke Medley, Scott Day, Nassim Dukali (Sam Bello-Balogun 73).

Subs not used: none (only two subs named).

Sent Off: None  Cautioned: Jake Nicholson, John-Prince Rylah, Jack Sammoutis.

 

Referee:  Dele Sotimirin             Assistant Referees: Valentine Anekwe & David Lunani.

Man of the Match: Elliot Cutts (Herne Bay)

 

Herne Bay (0) 1

Danny Williams 68

 

Walton Casuals (1) 1

Luke Medley 10

 

Attendance: 117

 

FA Challenge Trophy 1^st Round Qualifying

Saturday 31^st October 2015.

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

 

Photo credit: Steve Barton – Danny Williams scores Bay’s equaliser