This Kent derby provided entertainment with four goals, 8 bookings & a sending off in which both officials of the clubs described the referee’s performance as poor.

The game started quickly as in the 2^nd minute a Herne Bay corner into the area was headed wide & a minute later David Abe running onto a long ball controlled it & saw his shot go wide of the post.

Five minutes later Michael Turner latched onto a loose ball in the area but could only shoot into the side netting. In the 12^th minute Bay nearly opened the scoring when a Gary Sayer free kick into the area saw Simon Overland miss his punch enabling Michael Turner to shoot at goal but it was cleared of the line but in the next minute they did score when the ball was half cleared out & the ball was crossed to the back post where Danny Williams was & from 10 yards he shot home.

Ten minutes later Bourne had a chance when Conrad Lee’s free kick was saved by Jack Delo. The controversy came in the 24^th minute when Abe running into the area was fouled by Sayer & a penalty was given & then Sayer was sent off, a minute passed before Hicham Akhazzan was able to take the penalty but his effort hit the post.

Herne Bay were the team that looked likely to score despite being down to ten men & in the 31^st minute Williams ran onto a long ball but shot wide & nine minutes later on the left wing Williams cut inside & saw his shot go past the post.

Half time arrived & the consensus was that Herne bay despite being down to ten men were the better side while Sittingbourne would have to up the ante if they were to get anything out of the game.

The second half saw Sittingbourne do exactly that as they took advantage of the one man & in the 55^th minute a ball went across the 18 yard box where Akhazzan collected it & his shot beat Delo to not only equalise but also score his 100^th goal for the club.

Bourne were now controlling possession & in the 76^th minute they took the lead as it seemed Bay were tiring, there was a loose ball in the area Josh Wisson8 yards out turned & passed out wide left for Akhazzan whose low cross was turned in by Connor Wilkins.

As the game was nearing completion & a Bourne victory in sight Bay spoilt the party when in the 90^th minute Michael Turner stepped up & from 30 yards his free kick flew into the net via the post leaving all the Bourne players devastated.

There was four minutes added time & both sides tried to get a winner but to no avail & the points were shared.

 

 

SITTINGBOURNE:

1. OVERLAND    2. S.WELCH (51)        3. T.CARSLE       4.  J.BUNDA-KAMARA   5. J.RICHARDSON     6. J.STEVENTON 7. C.WILKINS (76) 18. C.LEE   9. D.ABE     10. J.WISSON     11. H.AKHAZZAN (84)

SUBS USED:   14. T.BRUNT (51)  15. B.SCHAFER (76)  17. G.CARAHO (84)

SUBS NOT USED:   12. J.EMERY  16. J.NGANDO

BOOKINGS:  2. S.WELCH (33)  10. J.WISSON (86)  18. C.LEE (88)  17. G.CARVAHO (89)

 

HERNE BAY:

1. DELO     17. N.EASTWOOD (89)     3. G.SAYER     4. L.QUINN    5. B.GORHAM      6. C.SAUNDERS   2. M.TURNER 8. K.SAUNDERS 9. D.WILLIAMS      10. M.LOVELL      11. J.TURNER (81)

SUBS USED:  12. I.ADEBAYO (81)  16. C.AFOKE (89)

SUBS NOT USED:  14. C.ELLIOTT  15. T.WOOD

BOOKINGS: 4. L.QUINN (34)  6. C.SAUNDERS (68)  10. M.LOVELL (71)  2. M.TURNER (90+1)

SENT OFF:  3. G.SAYER (25)

 

REFEREE: Mr M. MARSH

ASSISTANTS:  Miss K.DOWIE  & Mr A.LUKAWKIS

ATTENDANCE: 121