This was a spirited fightback from Herne Bay but ultimately it came too late to prevent defeat at the hands of a well drilled Worthing and condemned Bay to fall under the half way point in a tight league table.

“They’ve had four shots and scored four goals and we made too many mistakes today that have cost us”, bemoaned Herne Bay manager Sam Denly, “we were knocking on the door second half but we gave ourselves a mountain to climb.”

Worthing were quickest out of the blocks and would have taken the lead as early as the 5^th minute but for the bravery of ‘keeper Jack Delo diving at Zack Newton’s feet to block the visiting midfielder’s effort.

With The Rebels pounding at the door, Herne Bay took a surprise lead. Connor Sanders’ long throw from out on the right was headed on to Danny Williams in space in the six yard box and he had the simple task of heading the ball past Banks.  The euphoria was short lived though as Worthing redoubled their efforts.

Steve Metcalf ghosted in from the left four minutes later and hammered the ball into the far corner of Delo’s net to restore parity. A mere five further minutes elapsed and the rebels had turned the tables as Ben Pope headed home from a right wing cross. Herne Bay were floundering, unable to increase their pass completed rate and the one chance they did have in the remainder of the half came just before it closed.

Walder’s free kick from outside the penalty area was tipped over by Rikki Banks in the Worthing goal and Bay were destined to be behind at the break. It was no more than just reward for Worthing’s work rate, slicker passing and greater creativity.

After the interval, Danny Walder stung the Worthing ‘keeper’s hands from 25 yards and it also stung the visitors into a higher gear. They upped the tempo of their game and were rewarded with two more goals in the space of four minutes. Ben Pope grabbed his second of the match in the 59^th minute when he stroked home Zack Newton’s telling ground cross then the latter drove home when the home defence failed to clear.

This was now looking ominous for Herne Bay but a spirited fightback was sparked when substitute Steven Ita’s cheeky backheader reduced the deficit in the 74^th minute.

Now Bay pounded forward and Worthing looked vulnerable under the pressure. Liam Quinn ought to half brought the scores within a single goal’s difference but his powerful back post header in the 79^th minute went the wrong side of the upright.

Bay did score again but it was too late to do anything other than make the scoreline respectable; Joe Nelder drilling home from the edge of the 18 yard area in stoppage time.

“We didn’t score at key times today and at 3-1 or 4-1 it’s always going to be difficult”, said Denly, “they (Worthing) looked very good first half and played some good football, we gave the ball away in areas we shouldn’t.”

“The lads that came off the bench today made a real difference, that’s what I’m asking players to do this year.”

“We’ve got a big squad and when they do come on they’ve got to make an impact and that’s what three of them did today”.

 

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Dan Johnson, Liam Quinn, Connor Sanders, Danny Walder, Elliott Cutts (Joe Nelder 60), Mark Lovell, Danny Williams (Steven Ita 51), James Turner (Sam Hasler 67).

Subs not used: Nathan Eastwood, Harry Brown.

Sent Off: none  Cautioned: none

 

Worthing: Rikki Banks, Will Hendon, Steve Metcalf, Brannon O’Neill, Gary Elphick, Corey Heath, Lloyd Dawes (Jack Barnes 89), Zack Newton, Ben Pope, Omar Bugiel, Callum Overton.

Subs not used: Ryan Quirke, Tom Lyne, Matt Piper (only four subs named)

Sent Off: None  Cautioned: Brannon O’Neill, Jack Barnes.

 

Referee:  Scott Williams            Assistant Referees: Kennedy Kilulwe, Val Anekwe.

Man of the Match: Gary Elphick (Worthing)

 

Herne Bay (1) 3

Danny Williams 17

Steven Ita 74

Joe Nelder 90

 

Worthing (2) 4

Steve Metcalf 21

Ben Pope 27. 59

Zack Newton 63

 

Attendance: 186

 

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)

Saturday 24^th October 2015.

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

 

by Peter Guise

 

Photo credit: Steve Barton – Joe Nelder drills home from the edge of the box