Herne Bay moved up to 7^th in the league after completing the double over Three Bridges and extended their league run to 512 minutes without conceding a goal.

“Another excellent performance, we’ve struggled here since I’ve been in charge and it was a big game for us”, said Herne Bay manager Sam Denly, “it was important to come here and give a good account of ourselves. It was a thoroughly deserved win”.

This was mostly a tale of two twenty minutes. The first of those from the kick off when neither side could gain an advantage over the other and the second a blistering spell at the start of the second half when Herne Bay pulverised the home side into submission.

It took Herne Bay fully half an hour to break down a dogged Three Bridges defence then Sam Hasler, who will surely be missed once he starts his four match suspension, swept home Joe Nelder’s right wing cross. That single moment illuminated a first half that ached for decisive action.

After the break, the visitors warmed to their task at a venue that had hitherto not been a happy hunting ground for them. Bay doubled their advantage in the 49^th in bizarre fashion. Three Bridges ‘keeper, Kieron Thorp, charged out of his area bellowing to his defensive colleague that he was going to claim the ball. He did not, both missed it, and Danny Williams calmly seized upon his opportunity and walked the ball into the home penalty area before slotting home. He could have, but was not tempted to take the chance, had the school boy gall to walk the ball to the goal line, get down on his knees and head it across the line.

Twelve minutes from time, Three Bridges were reduced to ten men, Ben Godfrey sent from the field of play after collecting a second yellow. Bay were now in complete control and five minutes from time put the game to bed when Joe Nelder netted for the second game in succession. It might have been four for Herne Bay in consecutive matches but Danny Williams effort came back off the cross bar just before the final whistle.

“It was always about easing into the game, coming away from home on a Tuesday night is never easy”, said Denly, “going forward we look very dangerous but let’s not forget the lads at the back they deserve all the plaudits, all that hard work is now showing, no goals conceded in all that time is a fantastic stat.”

“Those performances make it easy for me, there is a lot of football to be played so it’s down to me to rotate the squad sensibly. Everyone, including the subs are playing their part and that’s why we are achieving what we are at the moment”.

 

Three Bridges: Kieron Thorp, Dan Mobsby, Matt Whitehead, John Lansdale, Nigel Brake, Jamie Crellin (Mark Pulling 46), Steve Sargent, Lee Carney (Mitchell Casselman 81), Ben Godfrey, Hakemm Adelakun (Alan Tait 81), Sam MacVicar.

Subs not used: Matt Daniel, Saul Otobo.

Sent off: Ben Godfrey                   Cautions: Ben Godfrey

 

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Nathan Eastwood, Dan Johnson, Connor Sanders, Harry Brown, Danny Walder (Dan Parkinson 67), Joe Nelder, Elliot Cutts (Mark Lovell 61), Sam Hasler (Kane Phillip 80), Danny Williams.

Subs not used: Giorgio Russo, Jammes Turner

Sent off: none                   Cautions: Sam Hasler, Danny Williams.

 

Referee: George Warren             Assistants: Daniel Hayes & Matthew Westlake

Man of the Match: Danny Williams (Herne Bay)

 

Three Bridges (0) 0

 

Herne Bay (1) 3

Sam Hasler 33

Danny Williams 49

Joe Nelder 85

 

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)

Tuesday 1^st December 2015

at Jubilee Field

 

Attendance: 71

 

(photo credit: Herne Bay FC Library Photos – Danny Williams, Man of the Match)