It was a result that even had Bay club historian Doug Smith scratching his head trying to remember when the home side had won a game by four clear goals – but in all seriousness after a slow start it was simply what Sam Denley’s side deserved as they ripped apart a Merstham side who just three weeks ago, they’d taken two games to get past in the FA Trophy. Those two close games must have seen a thousand miles away for the Bay boss as he watched his side go into overdrive that left the visitors floundering.
Early on it was a good even contest, but once the home side were in front scoring twice either side of half time and then completing the visitors misery by adding two more in the last 17 minutes, the Bay certainly deserved the three points and plaudits for a display that the manager was to call “the best we’ve played this season.”
The first half was an even contest, even a very tight with both sides having a one clear chance each – the first fell to the Bay after a great reverse ball from James Turner found Stuart King who’s shot was well blocked by the legs of keeper Brennan Daly whilst in almost a carbon copy at the other end Sam Tucknott and Joe Holland combined for Holland to be denied by the legs of home keeper Jack Delo.
The turning point came five minutes before half time. Danner Walder threaded a great ball through for James Turner who sprinted clear of the Merstham defence who were waiting for a flag which rightly didn’t come to be raised against King – the Bay striker made no motion towards the ball and indeed seemed if anything to be heading away from the ball as Turner raced clear. Just as the young striker seemed to have rounded the keeper, Daly’s right arm brought down Turner and referee Bloy pointed to the spot, but then had to make his mind up what to do about the challenge. Luckily for Daly it was only a yellow, but as Walder stroked his penalty to the left, Bloy dived away to the right as the home side took the lead.
A lead that was to be doubled five minutes after the break. A move so beautiful on the eye with one touches from four different players was finished off by James Turner’s fourth of the season as he flicked the ball past the keeper after he’d been released by an exquisite pass from Sam Hasler. Moments later, Turner was denied his second as an almost identical move released the striker again – this time Daly’s legs came the visitors rescue.
Merstham seemed to fast run out of ideas as the weather conditions changed by the minute, and in their first attack after the break, Delo was fortunate to grab Tommy Hutchins shot as it deflected into his arms after a good run from Liam Wright. Meanwhile at the other end, the Bay threatened with almost every attack. King came agonisingly close to the home sides third as he fired across the face of goal – any touch by any player would have surely taken the ball into the net.
Hutchins then just cleared the bar with a shot from the edge of the box and then substitute Taureen Roberts forced Delo into a fine low save before Bay sealed the contest with the all important third goal. King was fouled on the left edge of the box, and as the big striker dusted himself down, he fired in a free kick that caught Daly floundering at his near post as the ball flew into the net.
Three became four in stoppage time as Michael Turner intercepted a pass just inside the Merstham half and advanced to the edge of the box before beating Daly with a low drive to seal a magnificent victory for Denley’s side as the climb to 13th in the Ryman South table as club historian Smith reaching for the record books as the home faithful were treated to some pre bonfire night fireworks from a true four star performance from the home side.
HERNE BAY – Delo, Eastwood, Sayer, Walder (Brown 59), Saunders, Kennett, Hasler, Nelder, James Turner (Casey 59), King O’Connell 78), Michael Turner
Subs not used – Grant, Lloyd
MERSTHAM – Daly, Carter, Gunner (Sargent 78), Graves, Harwood, Henriques, Tucknott (Roberts 78), Craddock (Roberts 78), Hutchins, Holland, Wright
Subs not used – Thompson, Andrews
Referee – Mr R Bloy
Assistants – Mr E Smith & Mr D Skipper
Picture supplied by Steve Barton