Herne Bay produced a stunning display by defeating table toppers Walton Casuals 3-1 in the first qualifying round of the F.A.Cup at the Altira Park Stadium on Saturday.
Joint Managers John Embury and Jermaine Darlington have blended together a youthfull team that are fast becoming the surprise package in the Bostic League South.
Herne Bay were on the back foot for the opening 15 minutes of this tie but the Bay defence , well led by Jono Richardson, snuffed out any dangerous attacks by the lively Casuals forwards.
The Casuals squandered two good chances in the 15th and 16th minutes when Roscoe D’Sane and Daryl Coleman both blazed over when well placed.
Herne Bay started to get into the game with surging runs down both flanks by Junior Aikhionbare and Connor Wilkins and were nearly rewarded in the 31st minute when the Casuals goalkeeper Denzel Gerrar just managed to grab the ball at the feet of Junior Aikhionbare . Five minutes later the Bay took the lead after a good forward pass from Bradley Schafer was met with a rasping shot from Junior Aikhionbare ,giving Denzel Gerrar no chance. 1-0 Herne Bay (36 mins.)
Back came the Casuals and only a great save from Ben Hunter prevented parity after a stinging shot from Roscoe D’Sane. Back at the other end the Casuals Keeper had to be on his toes to keep out a shot from Bradley Schafer.
Walton Casuals continued to press but could find no way past a resolute Herne Bay Defence.
H/T 1-0 to the Bay.
Herne Bay started the second half looking the better side with Tom Carlton ,Junior Aikhionbare and Alex Mulrooney-Skinner all going close.
On 60 minutes Walton Casuals restored parity ,against the run of play it must be said, when they were awarded a very dubious penalty by Referee Steven Hughes, up stepped Roscos D’Sanr to slam the ball past Ben Hunter. 1-1.
A series of changes were made , with the Casuals putting on Evander Ellisio-Brito-Lopes for Issac Sarpong.
Herne Bay also made chages with Nassim Dukali and Jake Embury replacing Junior Aikhionbare and Tom Carlton.
A revitalised Herne Bay side soon gained the upper hand ,pushing forward with Nassim Dukali giving the Casuals defence a real work out. It was not long before the Bay took the lead again when a Connor Wilkins crossed for Alex Mulrooney-Skinner to crash in an unstopable shot past Gerrar in the Casuals goal. 2-1 to the Bay. On 88 minutes Roscoe D’Sane had a good chance to level but Ben Hunter saved superbly. A minute later the Herne Bay side put the game to bed with a superb solo effort by Nassim Dukali who raced down the left flank, cut in, and fired a stunning shot pasr Gerrar . 3-1 to the Bay (89 min.)
At the final whistle the Herne Bay crowd stood their ground to applaud the team off the field.
The supporters of this new Herne Bay side are really buying into the ethos of the brand of football they are playing and as the word spreads the gates will surely begin to increase. The furure looks very bright indeed.
Team ; Hunter Rumbol Brown Steventon Richardson Leonard Wilkins Carlton Mulrooney-Skinner Aikhionbare Schaffer
Subs. Embry Dukali Wisson McKinlay Trespaderne Catmull Carey(g/k).
Images courtesy of: Steve Barton