Early goals in each half, edged Herne Bay into the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup as Steve Lovell’s side progressed after surviving a late Rayners Lane onslaught to set up a tie at Ashford Town (Middx) on August 31.
Ahead in the second minute when Michael Salako coolly clipped the ball over home keeper Ravan Constable, when Kane Haysman netted the Bays second immediately after the break, Lovell’s men looked odds on to progress. But after Frank Keita pulled one back from the spot when the visitors conceded a clumsy penalty, the home side upped their game ripping through the heart of the Bay almost at will. But with keeper Harry Brooks and skipper Liam Friend in inspiring form, the visitors couldn’t force the goal that would have taken the tie to extra time, and it was the Bay who were celebrating.
Lovell’s side really did have the ideal start as with barely two minutes on the clock, Salako pounced as the home side couldn’t cope with a long ball; Salako reacting quickest to the loose ball and superbly clipping the ball over a stranded keeper.
Brooks made the first of several fine saves as Rayners Lane pressed for an early leveler – Josh Williams did well down the left and his ball into the box where Keita’s strike was true, but Brooks’ save was better.
Toby Nnadozie then went close for Rayner’s shooting just over before Frankie Smith crashed an effort off the home sides bar. Keita was the main threat for the home side and just before the break Brooks made terrific brave side to dent the Rayner’s number ten.
Most of the crowd hadn’t regained their place when Smith made it two. The winger was played in behind the full back and his shot into the opposite corner deceived Constable and nestled in the corner of the net. The lead doubled and the Bay in total control.
Control that sadly only lasted for eight minutes as on fifty-three minutes the home side were gifted an opportunity to get back in the game when the Bay defenders conceded an incredibly soft penalty and Neita rolled the ball home with Brooks diving the opposite way.
Home keeper Constable was then extremely lucky to stay on the pitch after blatantly handling outside of his box denying Josh Reid before Brooks pulled off a stunning save to deny Keita. The home side were in charge and centre forward Connor Cullen would have been disappointed not to have tested Brooks after a great run from Josh Williams – Cullen firing horribly when almost with the goal at his mercy.
The Bay were getting caught out by the pace of the Lane’s breaks and being stretched as for a period they surrendered the midfield to their hosts. Salako did head straight at the keeper from Tom Hanfrey’s cross as the Bay tried to repel the yellow waves – Williams had a shot brilliantly cleared off the line by Friend, and Brooks stood up brilliantly to deny Williams as the resulting corner was quickly taken and the chance was gone.
Referee Murphy then came to the fore with penalty shouts at both ends – sub-Kyel Reid went down in the Bay box, and that was followed by Smith going down in the box at the other end. The official though refused to give either spot-kick although both seemed remarkably close to call.
The home side continued to press but also seemed to run out of ideas, and towards the end of the game, Monty Sanders and Mo Kamara both went close – Sanders will have been disappointed to shoot straight at Constable with the goal at his mercy, whilst Kamara was brilliantly denied by the keeper and only an offside flag against Smith stopped the winger from sealing victory at the death. Not that it mattered as the full-time whistle blew shortly afterwards, and the Bays progress was sealed.
RAYNERS LANE – Constable, Correira, Webb, Robinson, Uche, Nnadozie, (Jalloh), Williams, Nasha, Cullen, Keita, Scott (Kyel Reid)
Subs – Folarin, Stoimenov, Amderson, Ajanlekoku
HERNE BAY – Brooks, Salmon, Parter, Hanfrey, Friend, Kamara, Josh Reid (Sanders), Ethan Smith, Salako, Haysman, Frankie Smith
Subs – Kuchkov, Wilson, Hassan, Hillier, Walters, Carrington
REFEREE – Mr. Murphy