Herne Bay`s play-off hopes took a dent in this top four clash following a controversial double sending off in the 36th minute.

“We’ve worked so hard to be where we are, it was a big game second playing fourth and for it to be ruined like that is just a shame for everyone; players, fans and everyone in the ground today”, said Herne Bay manager Sam Denly, “for me it wasn’t a bad tackle, it wasn’t even a free kick”.

The controversy surrounded a tackle in midfield by Herne Bay’s Sam Hasler after 36 minutes that Matthew Goldsmith deemed reckless and immediately flourished a red card. Observers pointed to the fact that not a single Worthing player went toward the man in black pleading for a card to be issued. He was, nevertheless, surrounded by Herne Bay players questioning the decision. Dan Parkinson’s questioning was a little too vociferous and vocal for the referee and he produced a red card for him as well. The unsavoury incident effectively ended the match as a contest.

Both teams had started the game brightly with the visitors going closest early on. Hasler fizzed a shot just wide of Banks’ right hand post in the 7th minute and Michael Turner`s rising shot in the 12th just grazed the top of the crossbar. It was the Rebels, however, who took the lead on 23 minutes when Omar Bugiel chipped Delo after being put through by the lively Dawes.

After the double sending off it was simply going to be an afternoon of toil for the visitors. Worthing duly doubled their advantage three minutes before the break through Matt Axell`s delightful strike from outside the box.

Herne Bay had to show resilience after the break and although the Rebels were content to play the ball around tiring the nine men out, they sliced through the defence in the 65th to score a third when Ben Pope nipped in at the near post.

Despite this reverse Herne Bay remain fourth and still in contention for the play offs but Worthing cemented their second spot and it may take something special to dislodge them.

“I said to the boys at half time it was about showing a bit of pride, a bit of damage limitation and we didn’t want the goal difference to be destroyed”, said Denly, “we worked hard, went two banks and they found it hard to break us down. It’s a bit of a dent but we go again and I’m targeting seven wins from our remaining games to get in the play offs”.

 

Worthing: Rikki Banks, Will Hendon (Mike Waller 75), Harvey Sparks, Ryan Richefond, Gary Elphick (Steve Metcalf 84), Corey Heath, Lloyd Dawes, Matt Axell (Brannon O`Neill 69), Ben Pope, Omar Bugiel, Ira Jackson.

Subs not used: Jack Fagan, Matt Piper

Sent off: none.   Cautions: none

 

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Dan Johnson, Liam Quinn, Connor Sanders (Kane Phillip. 75), Danny Walder, Elliott Cutts (Nathan Eastwood 45), Mark Lovell (Danny Williams 59), Dan Parkinson, Sam Hasler.

Subs not used: James Turner, Joe Nelder

Sent Off: Sam Hasler, Dan Parkinson.  Cautions: none

 

Referee: Matthew Goldsmith.     Assistants: Peter Georgiou & Joshua Godfrey

Man of the Match: Lloyd Dawes (Worthing)

 

Worthing (2) 3

Omar Bugiel 23

Matt Axell 42

Ben Pope 65

 

Herne Bay (0) 0

 

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South) Saturday 13th February 2016

 

At Woodside Park

 

Att: 434

 

Photo credit: Peter Guise – referee Matthew Goldsmith who sent two Herne Bay players off.