The dull draw in the first match at Winch’s Field became a distant memory after Herne Bay powered their way through to the First Qualifying Round against a skilful Merstham who lacked a killer punch in front of goal.

Jack Delo was called upon to make just one save of any note when he tipped over Taureen Roberts’ strike in the 24^th minute.

“We set up strong as we did on Saturday,” said Bay manager Sam Denly, “but the difference tonight was we got the ball down and played football. When we didn’t have the ball we worked hard to get it back, when we did get it back we kept it.”

Herne Bay were without Jordan Casey through illness and played a 4-5-1 formation with Jamie O’Connell the lone striker. He covered more blades of grass than most, never gave up and was rewarded for his efforts in stoppage time at the end of the first period. A long throw from Connor Sanders on the right was powered goalward from the head of Steven Lloyd, who has added strength to the back four in the last two outings, only for it to rebound off the Merstham ‘keeper for O’Connell to bundle it home.

Bay might have taken the lead earlier when Walder’s driven cross on 20 minutes was propelled straight at Daly by Dean Grant. Then, again, Daly was in the way of Grant’s 4 yard strike on the half hour mark from Sam Hasler’s left wing cross.

Taureen Roberts continued to jink his way down the left flank toward the Bay goal for the Moatsiders in much the same testing vein as the first encounter but without support and finishing power from his strike partners. After the break, Haydn Bird, the Merstham manager, switched Roberts to the right flank relieving the pressure on Bay right back Nathan Eastwood but the tricky winger got even less change out of left back Gary Sayer.

Jamie O’Connell was replaced on 68 minutes, having hassled and harried for the cause. James Turner took his place and with fresh legs continued where O’Connell had left off. Indeed, he was to feature in the goal that would put this tie to bed and earn Herne Bay a trip to Grays Athletic of the Ryman Premier Division in the next round. Sam Hasler drove at the defence, got the ball out to Ben Brown who wall passed with James Turner, bore down on the Merstham goal and struck forcefully and sweetly to seal Bay’s victory and cap a memorable performance.

“This is what it’s all about,” said Denly, “we’ve got Grays in the next round, Maidstone in the League Cup, we’re working hard, we know what we have to do to progress and we’ve done that tonight. We’re looking forward to the trips.”

 

Herne Bay team: Jack Delo, Nathan Eastwood, Gary Sayer,  Danny Walder,  Connor Sanders, Steven Lloyd, Sam Hasler, Joe Nelder, Jamie O’Connell (James Turner 68), Ben Brown, Dean Grant.

Subs not used: Elias Settouf, Michael Turner, Joe Kennett, Harry Brown