Whitstable Town were undefeated at home, Herne Bay had a winless record on the road, there was really only ever going to be one result wasn’t there?
They deserved their victory too although it wasn’t secured until 8 of the 10 minutes added on for the lengthy injury stoppage to Town’s ‘keeper, Luke Watkins, sustained in the opening minutes of the second period after an unfortunate and accidental collision with Herne Bay striker Danny Williams. It left Watkins concussed and his place was taken by substitute goalkeeper Charlie Hills.
In truth, this game didn’t come alive until those added minutes. “A very mild tempered game for a derby,” commented Bay manager Sam Denly, “I’ve played a lot more fiercer games myself in Whitstable / Herne Bay derbies but second half we were superb and deserved the win.”
It was a quiet first half with only one real chance and that fell to Herne Bay’s Danny Williams in the 11th minute. Steven Ita went on a mazy run down the left taking the ball to the edge of the Whitstable penalty area before squaring it to Williams who brought out a smart save from Watkins, pushing the fierce drive round his left hand post for a corner.
After the turnaround came that extended break in play that resulted in youth team ‘keeper Charlie Hills taking the concussed Watkins’ place between the Oystermen’s sticks. He was called upon to make two immediate stops of some quality that would have bolstered the young man’s confidence.
Both were from rasping efforts from Joe Nelder, the first tipped over the bar, the second tipped round a post. He could do little about the Bay’s opener though in the 65th minute. Conner Sanders hurled the ball in from the left, it was headed on by Danny Williams on the edge of Town’s 18 yard area and Stuart King acrobatically bicycle kicked his side ahead from 6 yards out, his 11th goal of the season.
Now there was more urgency in the game with Whitstable pushing forward in search of the equaliser, the experienced Ian Pulman looking more dangerous than he had been in an otherwise quiet match for him to that point.
Luke Doherty fired over Delo’s bar from the edge of the area with 10 minutes of normal time remaining but it was fully five minutes into time added on before Town got the equaliser they searched for, Matty Guila looking to have forced this game to penalties; there being no extra time in this competition.
But Herne Bay had other plans. With the clock running down, Connor Sanders again took a long throw from the left that Charlie Hills punched away, only for Walder to chip back in and Dan Johnson to head home the winner from 8 yards.
“Were we going to win the League Cup? Probably not,” said the Oystermen’s joint manager Danny Ward, “but we still wanted to win this local derby for the fans and everybody else, but we didn’t, massive game Saturday, heads up and we go again.”
Surprisingly, considering Herne Bay’s home form, this was their first away win of the season. “I wish it had been in the league,” exclaimed Sam Denly, “first half was very quiet and not much in it, but second half I thought we were superb.”
Herne Bay will now play Maidstone United at The Gallagher Stadium in the second round.
Whitstable Town: Luke Watkins (Charlie Hills 47), Ashley Ulph (Josh Elgar 31), Peter Wedgeworth, Luke Doherty, Joe Kennett, Ollie Grey (Joe Lester 46), Jake MacKenzie, Like Girt, Ian Pulman, Kane Rowland, Matty Guila.
Subs Not Used: Aaron James, Reiss Crimmen
Cautions: Peter Wedgeworth Sent Off: None
Herne Bay: Jack Delo , Michael Turner, Connor Partridge, Harry Brown (Dan Johnson 81), James Brown, Connor Sanders, Danny Walder, Joe Nelder, Danny Williams, Stuart King (Jordan Casey 77), Stephen Ita (Dan Parkinson 70).
Subs Not Used: Kane Butler, Oliver Lee.
Cautions: Joe Nelder, Danny Williams Sent Off: None
Man of the Match: James Brown (Herne Bay)
Referee: Stuart Butlergh Assistants: Elid Amir, Thomas Marshall.
Whitstable Town (0) 1
Guila 90+5
Herne Bay (0) 2
King 65, Johnson 90+8
at The Belmont
Robert Dyas Cup 1st Round
Tuesday 7th October 2014.
Attendance: 233
Picture supplied by Herne Bay FC