It was a match and result that ignited the Christmas spirit and set the social media alight as if it were brandy poured over pudding.

It could have been more! Such was the intensity of Herne Bay’s positive play.

Not that there was much gifting from fourth placed Walton Casuals. Herne Bay simply stood firm in defence (George Benner impressed on his first start), quick-passed their way through midfield (Lawrence and Walder combining well) and tore the Casuals back line apart (King and a positive Casey developing a real understanding).

Add to this Hasler and Grant giving their respective opposing full backs a torrid time and it is easier to see how such a score-line could be achieved.

Casuals were caught on the hop early with a cheek change of tactic. In the 4th minute a seemingly imminent long throw was delivered short, Stuart King subsequently swung in a telling right wing cross that Jordan Casey swept home.

Just 8 minutes later another telling left wing run from Sam Haslerresulted in his low hard cross being turned into his own net by French. This all seemed to be going rather well for the Bay with the meagre crowd holding their breath waiting for a Casuals backlash that never came.

In fact, Delo was not to be called upon to make a save worthy of such a description for the entire 90 minutes. Midway through the first period, Bay were to effectively put the game beyond doubt when Stuart King scored the first of three for him for the night.

On 22, another pacey run from Hasler on the left ended with a driven cross swept home by King. Three goals to the good with only a quarter of the match gone!

There was to ne no let up after the break. Within 10 minutes, Bay put the game to bed when Sam Hasler’s right wing corner was met with a powerful header from George Benner to cap his memorable first full 90 minutes at centre back.

With the game won, Denly withdrew Casey and Hasler in the space of four minutes replacing them with Ben Brown and Joe Nelder, both returning after serving a suspension. Stuart King, who had been the recipient of a number of debatable offside flags, sprung the Casuals trap in the 66th and slotted home when put through one on one with the ‘keeper to score the Bay’s fifth of the night.

King grabbed his hat-trick to complete the rout 13 minutes from time, sweeping home Nelder’s cross and might have added to that tally soon after had the upright not deflected his driven shot from distance away to safety.

This win elevated Bay to 9th in the Ryman One South table just four points off a play off position. Cue twitter meltdown!
Herne Bay team: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Danny Walder (James Turner 88),Connor Sanders, George Benner, Sam Hasler (Joe Nelder 60), Danny Lawrence, Stuart King, Jordan Casey (Ben Brown 56), Dean Grant.

Subs not used: Nathan Eastwood, Jamie O’Connell.

Bay Man of the Match: Sam Hasler

 

Walton Casuals (0) 0

Herne Bay (3) 6
Casey 4
French (og) 9
King 22, 66, 77
Benner 55

Attendance: 118