1st Team Match Reports 2008/09 by John Bathurst

last seasons match reports

Kent League Premier Division
Saturday 3rd January 2009
Herne Bay 2 - 5 Erith Town

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I am not superstitious but it does appear that there is something in the curse of the manager of the month award! Two weeks since receiving the garment and we have played two, lost two, scored 3, conceded 10. This game was a case of ‘Groundhog Day.’ 2 penalties, a hat trick from the opposition No.9, and Stuart King scoring both Bay’s goals.
In both games we have played the better football but this doesn’t win games,  scoring goals does!  A great  performance by Marcus Cassius. He was far too quick for our defenders. In the League Cup fixture, played last month, Steve Hansen kept him under tight wraps, but today Hansen started on the bench.
Admittedly his first came from the penalty spot but he made the second by turning Sean Bremner on the edge of the area, and thumping a shot against the upright where Myrie Allen followed up to simply tap over the goal line.
The second half Bay were totally dominant but never had that cutting edge to break down the nine man, Erith, defence. It begs the questions: Is the football was too elaborate? Do we try to walk the ball into the net? Should we shoot more?
For the first twenty minutes of the half Bay were camped in the Erith half then,  following a corner, for which Hansen was asked to get in the area, the ball was cleared up field finding Will Graham alone against two Erith forwards. A quick one two put Cassius clear allowing him to volley the ball into the top corner.
Ten minutes later, another long ball out of defence found Cassius again. His quick turn took him past Graham and from 25 yards out he smashed the ball past Dan Eason.
Every breakaway looked really dangerous. The visitors made it 5-0 in the 83rd minute. A deep cross from the left found Dan Parish totally unmarked 10 yards out and his fierce volley gave Eason no chance.
Bay to their credit kept attacking and were rewarded with two goals in the last five minutes; Stuart King scoring both. Darren Marsden being tripped in the box after picking up a return pass following a one-two with King. King sent keeper Duckworth the wrong way from the spot. Bay piled on the pressure and should have reduced the deficit sooner but some frantic defending kept the ball out. Then with one minute remaining another one-two between King and Marsden saw King latch onto a sublime through ball to smash home. 

Attendance: 147

Team: Eason, Lawson, Taylor, Lloyd, Graham, S Brown, Bremner, Marsden, King,  Harvey, D Lawrence.
Subs: Hansen (Bremner 46 min), Moore (Lawson 75 mins) Todd (Lloyd 63 mins)
Not used: ,  Cook,  Forster

Kent League Premier Division
Saturday 27th December 2008
Herne Bay 1 - 5 Faversham Town

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Well the winning run had to come to end some time! Faversham came to Winch’s with a game plan to shut down Darren Marsden, Simon Brown and Danny Lawrence and stop Bay playing football, which they did very effectively.
From set plays the visitors always looked dangerous and an early warning was given on eight minutes when a free kick, conceded 20 yards out, sweetly struck by Steve O’Brien was turned round the upright  by a diving Dan Eason. Bay moved the ball around well pushing Town back deep in their own half but keeper, Kevin Readings was never really tested. 
On 21 minutes the breakthrough came. Damian Able’s shot, from the edge of the area, hit Danny Cook’s hand as he tried to protect his face. The referee pointed to the penalty spot from which Lee Shearer slotted the ball under Eason.  Town doubled their lead 5 minutes later. Steven Lloyd adjudged to have fouled the Town forward just outside the area. This time the free kick from O’Brien was too good, giving Eason no chance . Faversham were now in full flow . Eason having to pull out another acrobatic save to turn Able’s fierce volley over the bar on the half hour. Bay struck back with their only real threat on Readings goal in the half. Rhys Lawson went down the right and his cross was met by Marsden who volleyed straight into the keeper’s arms.
The second half saw Bay produce the flowing football of recent weeks but they failed to penetrate the solid Faversham defence and as the game wore on their passing became ragged and the ball was given away much too easily. Then from another set piece .This time a corner, which all the Bay supporters thought should have been a goal kick, former Bay favourite Dave Soutan out jumped the defence to head home from a yard out. Bay brought on Stuart King and Simon Moore  and it was King who reduced the deficit. Will Graham being bundled over in the box and King sent Readings the wrong way to give Bay supporters a glimmer of hope.
This hope was short lived as 3 Town forwards raced through the back line two minutes later. O’Brien met the cross  smashing the ball past Eason. O’Brien got his deserved hat trick in the 80th minute with another fabulous strike into the top corner.
Faversham thoroughly deserved the victory. They worked tirelessly for each other and took their chances with aplomb. If they repeat this performance next Saturday against Tunbridge Wells they could well be a threat to Hythe at the top of the table come the end of the season.

Attendance 258

Team: Eason, Lawson, Taylor, Hanson, Lloyd, Cook, Bremner, Marsden, S Brown,
Harvey, D Lawrence.
Subs: Graham (Cook 46mins)  King (Bremner 63 min)    Moore (Hansen 63 mins)
Not used: Chandler,  Forster

Man of match:  Dan Eason (Despite conceding 5)

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Kent League Premier Division
Saturday 20th December 2008
Norton Sports 0-1 Herne Bay

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A very resolute performance from Norton Sports forced Bay to work very hard for the three points. Norton having not played since 15th November had obviously trained very hard as was shown in their 100% commitment for the whole 90 minutes. They never allowed Bay’s play makers any time on the ball, doubling up every time Bay went forward.
In previous games Norton had tired towards the end, but not today and it could be argued that they deserved a share of the spoils but football is never a fair game and you have to score goals to get the points.
Bay always looked the more dangerous with Darren Marsden being involved in most attacks. On two occasions; one in each half, he jinked his way through the Norton defence only to have both efforts cleared off the line.
A great save from the keeper prevented Steve Hansen from putting Bay in to the lead in the dying minutes of the first period. His header from 2 yards out was brilliantly tipped over the bar.
The 2nd period continued in the same vein and in the space of two minutes Bay had two great chances to break the deadlock. First Lewis Taylor shot wide from the edge of the area, after a rare passage of attacking, passing football and then Marsden’s jinking run.
Stuart King replaced Taylor on 55 minutes as Bay put two up front in an attempt to breakdown the resolute Norton defence. Bay pressed forward and Norton countered with quick breakaway attacks. Hansen, Danny Cook and Steven Lloyd stood firm ensuring that Dan Eason's goal was never really threatened.
Then in the 77th minute, Marsden broke through but his effort was cleared only to be picked up by Luke Harvey on the edge of box. Harvey took one touch before powering a low drive through the packed defence, which deflected off the Norton defender and crashed into the bottom corner. This was the breakthrough Bay needed and despite a very determined effort from Norton Sports, they managed to see out the remaining minutes to record their ninth consecutive victory which saw them move up to 3rd place in the league.

attendance: 144

Team: Eason, Lawson, Taylor, Hanson, Lloyd, Cook, Bremner, Marsden, S Brown, Harvey, D Lawrence.
Subs: King (Taylor 55 min) 
Not used: Graham, Chandler, Moore, Fotster

Man of match: Darren Marsden

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Kent Senior Trophy second round
Wednesday 17th December 2008
Erith Town 1 - 3 Herne Bay

Danny Lawrence and Darren Marsden were the stars of this fine display by Bay. Lawrence scoring a hat trick but could have, and  possibly should have, scored another five!
His 1st came after 10 minutes; Simon Brown picking up the ball midway into Erith’s half passed to Rhys Lawson on the right. Lawson’s pace took him past two defenders to the edge of the box. His low cross found Lawrence, unmarked 8 yards out, from where he stroked the ball wide of the keeper. 1-0.
10 minutes later a long throw from Dan Eason was headed on by Luke Harvey over the defender for Lawrence to race through, collect the ball, wrong foot the defender before curling a shot into the top corner. 2-0.
Bay were totally dominant and Erith could not have complained if the half time score had been 5-0 but somehow each goal attempt was thwarted by some erratic finishing and resolute defending.
Erith Town came out for the 2nd period determined to put in a better performance than they did in the first half. 10 minutes into the half top scorer, Marcus Cassius found the net but he was adjudged offside.
Harvey received a straight red card in the 65th minute and Erith using the man advantage pressed Bay back deep in their half. Five minutes later they reduced the deficit when substitute Dan Parrish headed a fine goal after some rather poor Bay defending.
Bay soaked up the pressure, with Marsden slowing the game down by retaining possession and orchestrating breakaway attacks. Then in the 90th minute Marsden drifted into the penalty area where he was unceremoniously brought down. Lawrence stepped up, sent the keeper the wrong way before driving the ball home to secure the victory.

Attendance: 36

Team: Eason, Lawson, Taylor, Hanson, Lloyd, Cook, Bremner, Marsden, S Brown, Harvey, D Lawrence.
Subs: Graham (Cook 78 min) 
Not used: King,  Chandler,  Moore

Man of match:  Danny Lawrence

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Kent League Premier Division
Saturday 6th December 2008
Beckenham Town 1 - 2 Herne Bay

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Bay gave the Chairman the best possible birthday present and at the same time put to bed the curse of the Manager of the Month award when they dug really deep into their reserves to hold out for a great victory over a very good Beckenham side.
Bay started off very positively and were two up after only 13 minutes play. In the 2nd minute a great piece of interplay between Luke Harvey, Darren Marsden and Rhys Lawson ended with a Beckenham defender almost turning Lawson’s low cross into his own net but the ball ricocheted off keeper Michael Holder’s leg. 
From the resulting corner it seemed that Sean Bremner scuffed his kick but the low cross went through the legs of the defender at the near post and into the goal to the surprise of all!
Bay increased their lead 10 minutes later when, following Lewis Taylor’s  forceful run down the left flank he passed to Harvey, standing alone just outside the penalty area, from where he  struck a fierce right foot volley into the top corner.
Beckenham struck back almost immediately but Dan Eason pulled off a fantastic diving save to push  Durrand Jermott’s  powerful header, heading for the top corner, around the upright.
Beckenham then started to exert tremendous pressure, forcing Bay deep into their own half. Bay hit back with swift counter attacks but as the half progressed they became fewer and fewer. The hosts should have reduced the deficit just before interval when Jermott  hit a shot which hit the inside of the upright and ran across the face of the goal where, unbelievably, Damon Wise smashed the ball high over the bar from less than a yard out with the empty goal at his mercy.
Beckenham started the second period where they left off the first and were rewarded with a goal after only 2 minutes of the restart. A ball was sent into Jermott, standing inside the area. The ball was laid back to substitute Luke Milner who stroked the ball into the bottom corner from 12 yards. It was no more than Beckenham deserved but real credit to Bay, they failed to capitulate despite the onslaught from the home side.
The defence, with Steve Hanson, Dan Cook and Steven Lloyd standing firm and with Eason in sparkling form, ensured that Beckenham became frustrated, which led to a number of attacks failing through poor final balls. The one occasion they did break through brought out another fantastic save by Eason who, despite seeing the ball late as it raced through a packed area, kept the ball out.
Despite the pressure Bay still looked dangerous with their breakaway attacks. Harvey in particular, fighting a lone battle up front, caused the Beckenham defenders problems every time he received the ball. Marsden cleverly slowed the play down, taking the heat out of the game whenever he took possession of the ball.
Bremner and Brown were replaced by Martin Chandler and Simon Moore for the last 12 minutes  to strengthen  the midfield  and thwart any further Beckenham threat  on the goal and which ensured Bay took the spoils and a further three points.

Attendance: 92

Team: Eason, Lawson, Taylor, Cook, Hanson, Lloyd, Bremner, Marsden, S Brown, Harvey, Lawrence .
Subs: Moore (Bremner 81min)  Chandler, (Brown 78 min)
Not used:  King, Forster, Todd

Man of match:  Dan Eason

Kent League Premier Division
Saturday 15th November 2008
Herne Bay v Erith & Belvedere

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This was by far Herne Bay’s best performance of the season  so far. In a match which they could not have afforded to lose they produced a battling performance against a more physical ‘deres side who had not lost in the league since the opening game of the season.
The game started with Erith forcing the game trying to negate Bay’s  wing back line up. The first threat on goal was by Luke Harvey but his shot went straight into Matt Bromby's arms. From the throw out Nick Smith went on a winding run, firing just past the upright with Dan Eason struggling to reach.
On 22 minutes Bay broke the deadlock . A good piece of interplay between Danny Lawrence and Lewis Taylor resulted in Taylor sending the ball into the box where the defender pushed the ball out straight to Simon Brown who smashed the ball home from 8 yards.
5 minutes later Harvey should have doubled the score. Lawrence beat the keeper to a poor back pass but Bromby managed to get his hand to the ball as Lawrence tried to jink around him. The ball fell to Harvey but his volley went over the bar to safety.
Harvey was involved in the next goal; this time being adjudged to have handled the ball after he turned his back on a fierce shot from the deres forward, the ball hitting him on the arm and the referee bowing down to the call of 'penalty' from the deres coaching staff who had constantly berated him after every decision he made up until this incident. Aiden Pursglove made no mistake from the spot kick.
The rest of the half was pretty even but with 5 minutes left of the half Will Graham became the victim of a reckless two footed tackle which delayed the game for 25 minutes. Will leaving the game for Thanet hospital courtesy of  the Kent Ambulance service.  Smith received only a yellow. Unbelievable!
This seemed to galvanise Bay. Steven Lloyd made his debut on returning to Winch’s Field to replace Will and never put a foot wrong. Straight from the start of the 2nd period they made their intentions clear. Harvey made Deres pay for some slack marking. Having enough space to turn and hit a low drive past Bromby from 10 yards. The lead only lasted for 8 minutes. It was Smith again who produced a stunning run through the defence and unleashed a low shot  which whistled past Eason  into the bottom corner.
Undeterred Bay continued to play  suberb passing football but also defended resolutely against the Erith & Belvedere counter attacks.
The play was end to end but Bay were looking the more dangerous  with Lawrence and Brown outstanding in the midfield and Lloyd and Andy Forster were absolutely solid in defence.
Bay deservedly re–took the lead  with 15 minutes left on the clock when Brown broke through the defensive line and worked the ball past Bromby from close range.
10 minutes later a fine 30 yard shot from Lawrence saw Bromby produce a diving save to turn the ball around the upright. Then the turning point in the game. Deres had a fine move down the right which saw the ball dragged back from the by line to be met by Smith who turned the ball past the outstretched arm of a diving Eason. Deres delight was short lived as the goal was disallowed. Maybe the official decided to make up for his early error with the penalty, who knows?
Deres could have still got the equalizer a minute later but a fine save by Eason tipped Smith’s dippng shot over the bar. Bay then saw out the final minutes without any further scares to secure the three points.

Attendance: 140

Team: Eason, Lawson, Forster, Hanson, Graham, Bremner, Lawrence, Marsden, S Brown, Harvey, Taylor.
Subs: Lloyd (Graham 40 min)  Todd (Harvey 80 min)
Not used: Perkins, Rogers, Chandler

Man of match:  Simon Brown

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Kent League Premier Division
Tuesday 11th November 2008
Lordswood 0 - 2 Herne Bay

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A cracking game and another solid performance from Bay against a revitalized Lordswood side fresh from their 2-0 victory against Beckenham on Saturday.
Lordswood started very impressively with good movement on and off the ball. They should have taken the lead as early as the 1st minute but after a fabulous passing move, a woeful strike from in front of goal went yards wide.
Bay struggled to get out of their half for the first 6 minutes as Lordswood piled on the pressure. But Bay struck back with the best possible reply; Darren Marsden picked up the ball deep in his own half and jinked his way through the Lordswood midfield, to put Rhys Lawson through deep on the right flank. Lawson cut the ball back from the bye-line into the box where Danny Lawrence hit it first time through a packed defence into the the goal. 7 minutes played 1-0.
Undeterred Lordswood continued to play fast flowing football but their play lacked that cutting edge to put Dan Eason under any real threat. As the half progressed Bay looked more and more assured at the back and through Marsden and Lawrence driving the midfield, began to assert their influence on the game.
Lawrence could have added to his tally on 25 minutes as he dispossessed the defender and fired a low shot just wide of the post. Ben Brown, playing his last game on loan from Ramsgate, was causing Lordswood all sorts of problems with his forceful runs and fierce shots on goal. His best effort forced keeper, Rowan Arnott , into producing a fine save going full stretch, low down  to turn the ball around the upright. As the 1st period drew to an end it was Bay who were dominating with Arnott being the busier of the two keepers.
In the 2nd half Bay continued where they left off in the 1st with Brown still causing problems. His 30 yard shot , hit on the run, smashed against the bar  and bounced straight back into the grateful arms of Arnott, who had been left stranded on his six yard line by the sheer power of the strike.
Bay should have doubled their lead twice in the next ten minutes. Luke Harvey chased a through ball and just managed to beat Arnott to the ball. Unfortunately his goal bound shot was swept off the line by a back-tracking defender.  This was followed by Adam Todd, who had just replaced Harvey, intercepting a poor back pass on the edge of the box but produced a weak shot straight at Arnott .
Bay were controlling the game and deservedly increased their lead in the 70th minute when Lawson sent a deep cross to the far post to be met by a diving Todd  to head the ball powerfully into the top corner.
With a quarter of an hour to go, a clash between Brown and Nathan Nelson saw the referee brandish the red card to both players for what was a matter of “handbags” warranting  yellow, not red! From this point the referee cautioned a number of other players for minor infringements and this took the passion out of the game.
Bay should have doubled the scoreline in the closing minutes when first, Lawrence, and then Marsden had great opportunities to score but both were squandered with poor finishing. A good result, a win and another clean sheet!
This is one of the better Lordswood sides in recent years. They will upset a lot of sides if they continue to play the way they did tonight.

Attendance: 82

Team: Eason, Lawson, Forster, Hanson, Graham, Lawrence, Bremner, Marsden,
B Brown, Harvey, Taylor
Subs: Todd (Harvey 60 mins)  Goodger (Taylor  73 mins)
Not Used:   Lloyd, Rogers, Chandler

Man of the Match:  Darren Marsden

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Kent League Premier Division
Saturday 8th November 2008
Herne Bay 3 - 2 Croydon

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A very good game of football  played in awful conditions, a credit to both sets of players and the officials. Bay were quickly out of the blocks and for the first 10 minutes penned the visitors in their own half. Goal attempts from Luke Harvey, Ben Brown and Darren Marsden narrowly missed the target. From their only venture into Bay’s half Tony Atkins forced Dan Eason to turn his fierce left foot volley over the bar. Bay countered immediately from the Croydon corner kick the ball was sent out to Marsden who raced forward putting Danny Lawrence through. Lawrence shot from outside the area  but Keeper Tim Roberts got down well to smother the shot.
This spurred Croydon on and for the next 10 minutes  they forced Bay back into their own half. Eason again came to Bay’s rescue this time turning the ball around the upright  after taking a wicked deflection. Bay raised the pace forcing Croydon back into defensive action but a quick breakaway, on the half hour, saw Sean Bremner concede a corner. From the corner kick the ball fell to one of the smallest players on the field but he rose to head the ball past Eason to give Croydon the lead. This lead could have been doubled in the 43rd minute when Atkins went through one –on –one with Eason but hit the ball wide. Then at the other end  Ben Brown copied him just skimming the upright when he raced through. HT 0-1.
As with the 1st period Bay were quickly on the attack and within the space of the next 10 minutes scored three goals. It started with Steve Hanson heading wide from a corner in the 49th minute. This was followed by a brilliant solo effort from Ben Brown who forced his way down the left flank, leaving two defenders in his wake, he cut in along the by-line and drove the ball under Roberts from the tightest of angles to put Bay level. Five minutes later from a corner, Will Graham opened his  account with a powerful header at the near post  to put Bay into a deserved lead. Bay were rampant and from another corner  Graham rose again but this time missed the ball. This confused the defence and the ball ricocheted off Roberts into the net. Croydon although stunned by this fought back well , reducing the deficit  when an Eason punched clearance  fell to Wilfred Gnaly  who struck a fine shot into the corner wide of Eason.  For the last 25 minutes Croydon piled on the pressure  and in normal weather conditions probably would have levelled the game but today Ben Yiadom’s shot got through the defence but actually pulled up short in the mud just short of the  goal line. In the dying minutes of the game Bay should have increased the lead Brown going through saw his shot parried away. Harvey followed up but Roberts was there again to smother the shot.

Team: Eason, Lawson, Forster , Hanson, Graham, , Lawrence, Bremner, Marsden,
B Brown, Harvey, S Brown
Subs: Goodger (S Brown 83)   Taylor (Lawrence 83)
Not Used: Todd, Cook, J Turner

Man of the Match:  Andy Forster

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Kent League Premier Division Cup second round (2nd leg)
Friday 31st October 2008
Norton Sports 0 - 4 Herne Bay

The difference tonight was that Bay stamped their authority on the game straight from the off. Bays’ forwards were always a yard quicker. It appeared that the rain soaked pitch affected Norton ‘s defenders, as they were sluggish and slow to react to each attack. As early as the 12th minute Luke Harvey was put through by Will Graham, but his shot was smothered by Smith in goal.
The lead came 8 minutes later; Ben Brown won a 50/50 ball in the Norton half and put Dan Lawrence away down the right into the area. Smith marshalled him to the by-line but his firm pass across the face of the goal was driven home by Harvey. A similar move on the half hour, this time with a low cross from Brown, but Harvey’s attempt was cleared off the line brilliantly by the defender. However from the following corner kick the ball fell to Darren Marsden and his left foot volley from 18 yards gave Smith no chance.
Norton came out for the 2nd period and threw everything at Bay. Bay seemed content to sit back and absorb the pressure. This really handed the initiative to today’s hosts.
In the opening quarter Norton had two great chances to level the tie but on both occasions the ball went inches past the upright. If these two chances had been taken then I am sure it would have been a very different match.
However Bay worked their way back and Lawrence came very close to increasing the lead after a flowing passing move between Sean Bremner, Ben and Simon Brown took Bay the entire length of the pitch.  Three substitutions followed which gave Bay the extra edge but It wasn't until the 80th minute that Bay put the tie beyond  Norton. Marsden put a ball over the back line for Stuart King to beat the offside trap and coolly flick the ball over the out rushing Smith. With the tie over as a contest,
Marsden finished off a fine performance by putting Harvey through. This time Smith blocked the shot but couldn’t hold onto the ball leaving Bremner the simple task of  stroking the ball into the empty net.
A much better performance from Bay tonight but they still need to get better if they are to be considered genuine contenders for some silverware this season. Still they are winning and keeping clean sheets.

Team: Eason, Lawson, S Brown, Hanson, Graham, Forster, Lawrence, Marsden, B Brown, Harvey, Bremner
Subs: Dickson  (S Brown 52)  King (B Brown 60) Cook Graham 58)
Not Used: Todd, Rogers,

Man of the Match:  Darren Marsden

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Kent League Premier Division Cup second round (1st leg)
Saturday 25th October 2008
Herne Bay 1 - 0 Norton Sports

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Herne Bay started this game very nervously. Norton Sports on the other hand were really up for the game and exerted early pressure on Bays defence. During the first 15 minutes the visitors created the best chances but woeful finishing ensured that Dan Eason was never really troubled. Bay started to get back into the game and Norton were thankful to keeper Chris Smith for pulling off a number of fine saves. On the one occasion Smith failed to save the upright came to his rescue.
With the game goal-less at half time it was honours even with Norton creating most of the pressure but Bay having the best scoring opportunities.
Luke Harvey, who became a father at 12.50pm (daughter Masie 8lb 3oz) arrived at the ground, not surprisingly, late, came on as a 2nd half substitute in the 56th minute to battle against his ‘mates’. His introduction had an immediate effect. His challenge for the ball forced the defender to clear hastily. The ball fell to Simon Brown who fired  a low drive, which a diving Smith did well to turn around the upright.
Stuart King then replaced Ben Brown. Bay were now dominating the play and it was Norton’s turn to be on the back foot. As Bay pressed forward they left openings at the back which Norton exploited in a couple of counter attacks and only two fine blocking saves from Eason in the 80th and 81st minute  from first, Michael Holden and then Tim Sharman prevented Norton from taking the lead.
Bay gained the victory, when in the 2nd minute of stoppage time, Harvey forced a corner. King’s corner kick wasn’t particularly good but the Norton defender sliced his clearance out of play. From the resulting throw in Steve Hanson headed the ball through to Darren Marsden, who raced into the right hand side of the area and fired the ball across Smith into the top corner to give Bay a slender one goal advantage going into the second leg on Friday.
An excellent performance from Reserves captain, Dan Cook in defence, who just stole the man of the match from Dan Eason and Simon Brown.

Attendance: 120

Team: Eason, Cook, Lawson, Forster, Graham, Goodger, Lawrence, Marsden, B Brown, Hanson, S Brown
Subs:  Harvey (Forster 56)  King (B Brown 62)
Not Used: Todd, Rogers, Chandler

Man of the Match:  Dan Cook

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Kent League Premier Division
Saturday 11th October 2008
Tunbridge Wells 0 - 4 Herne Bay

Report by TD

This was the display all Bay supporters have been waiting patiently (well mostly patiently) for for a few weeks and it said 'watch out Premier Division, the Bay are Back' - OR WHAT!
True Tunbridge were not at their best but even if they had been they would have struggled to contain this re-born team bristling with skill and confidence.
Right from the first kick it was obvious that the team had a new-found determination and closed down on the Wells players whenever they got the ball. In posession they were calm and no side would have enjoyed trying to play against their winning attitude.
On 11 minutes Luke Harvey, who worked and worked all through the game until he went off with a thigh strain in the closing stages, burst through a static Wells defence and fired home a shot the keeper could only stand and watch as it skimmed low into the bottom left of his goal. Two minutes later Stuart King was involved off the ball and appeared to retaliate after being fouled. The referees assistant waved and, after checking with him, the ref showed the red card and Bay were down to 10 men.
It would be no exageration to say that from that moment you would have sworn it was Tunbridge who had the fewer men on the pitch. The Bay back four of Rhys Lawson, Steve Hanson, Will Graham and Liam Dickson were workman-like and never troubled by the Wells' front line, which included the prolific Ross Cable. Dan Eason did some ball-gathering but was not called upon to produce any of the classy saves he has been pulling off of late.
Ben Brown, on loan from Ramsgate, was magnificent just behind Luke up front and caused the Wells defence no end of bother as he continually took them on and, more often than not, left them in his wake. He it was who provided the assists for both Bay's second half goals and, with a little more luck, could have scored himself.
But it was Sean Bremner playing in left-midfield, who got Bay's second. Martin Chandler floated a great free kick across the Wells area and everyone gave the ball up for a goal kick. Everyone, that is, but Sean who raced round from the left to head home from a very tight angle.
Before the first half ended Bay could, and maybe should, have put another two or even three more goals away but it wasn't to be.
The second half continued in the same vein. Darren Marsden and Martin Chandler commanded midfield with Ben Brown going up and down the pitch like a perpetual motion machine.
Steve Hanson ventured more and more into Wells territory, such was Bay's dominance, as did Rhys Lawson.
Darren Marsden was substituted on 70 minutes and the incoming Dan Lawrence made an immediate impact working his magic to weave in and out of the Wells defensive line but it was the introduction of Simon Brown which had the more telling effect. Within a minute of his replacing the injured Luke Harvey he was put through by a brilliant Ben Brown pass to beat the out-rushing keeper for Bay's much deserved third goal.
One minute later Dan Lawrence was well place to latch on to Ben's deft cross, which came at the end of a mesmerising run through three Wells players inside their area. Lawrence made no mistake from four yards.
With 5 minutes left to play Lewis Taylor came on for the tiring Sean Bremner.
Every player, except maybe the late subs, went off the field thoroughly drained. They gave it their all. Just brilliant. Shame so few Bay supporters witnessed it.

Attendance:118

Team: Eason, Lawson, Hanson, Graham, Dickson, Bremner, Chandler, Marsden, King, B Brown, Harvey.
Substitutes: Lawrence (Marsden 71), S Brown (Harvey 79), Taylor (Bremner 85), not used Forster, Rogers

Man of the Match Ben Brown

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Kent League Premier Division
Saturday 4th October 2008
Deal Town 2-1 Herne Bay

Still no better today! There seems to be a total lack of confidence in the way the team plays these days. Gone is the flowing passing football and scoring for fun.
Another completely different line up for this game with loan player, Liam Dickson making his debut in the back four alongside Will Graham, Steve Hanson and Max Ciano.
The defence still looked very uneasy, making basic errors and showing a total lack of communication.
It really looked as if the boys meant business at the start of the game. Darren Marsden firing in a great volley from 25 yards, forcing keeper Paul Rogers into a fine fingertip save in the 6th minute. Unfortunately Deal took the lead two minutes later. Sean Bremner judged to have controlled the ball with his arm inside the area. Dave Bathgate making no mistake from the spot kick.
For the third match in a row Bay have conceded an early soft goal which seems to have had a demoralizing effect on their play for the rest of the half. The only real chance Bay had in the half was on 31 minutes when Stuart King was put through by Dan Lawrence but he shot straight into Rogers arms.
Bay started the second period much brighter and should have drawn level within a minute of the restart but Luke Harvey’s quick turn and shot blasted over the bar from close range. Deal struck back immediately and it was only a fine save from Dan Eason, diving full stretch to somehow hook the ball out of the top corner.
Bay followed this with three goal chances all from close range but the Deal defence stood firm and from the clearance they quickly moved the ball down the left flank; playing a good one-two around Ciano and Graham and sending a low cross into the area where Aaron Robinson made no mistake from 3 yards.
Bay introduced Rhys Lawson, new signing Frazer Rogers and Marc Jones and did begin to show some attacking flair. King having a couple of attempts smartly saved.
Deal should have wrapped it up on 75 minutes. Bathgate delivered a fine cross into the area  which eluded the forwards and defenders alike but fortunately the ball grazed the outside of the post.
Bay were now starting to get back into the game and with 10 minutes left on the clock King pulled a goal back with a low driven free kick through a poor defensive wall which left the keeper stranded.
Bay strived to get the equalizer and indeed should have done in the 89th minute, when a Marsden free kick smashed against the bar and down  on the line. The rebound was then headed over the bar and Deal were safe.

Attendance 106

Team: Eason, Dickson, Ciano, Hanson, Graham, Chandler, Lawrence, Marsden, Harvey, King, Bremner
Subs: Rogers (Lawrence 50 mins)  Lawson (Chandler 50 mins) Moore (Ciano 66mins) Not used: Cook, Perkins

Man of the match: Stephen Hanson

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Kent League Premier Division
Saturday 27th September 2008
Slade Green 3-1 Herne Bay

Herne Bay’s season is going from bad to worse. Without a win in their last six games the pre season promise is disappearing rather rapidly.
Wanting to bounce back after last week’s humiliation at Holmesdale they started in the worst possible way. Green were in front within 30 seconds of the start; the only Bay player to touch the ball was keeper Dan Eason, who somehow managed to drop the ball onto the head of Sam May as he challenged for a cross,. The ball bounced off Mays head into the goal.
Bay fought back and were deservedly level inside fifteen minutes. Simon Brown sending Stuart King away, ending with King bravely steering the ball past the keeper despite a rather robust challenge which left King prostrate on the ground for several minutes after.
Following this the match changed for the worse with the referee spoiling the game with a most inept performance. Players scrapping receiving no cards, bookings for trivial offences and two decisions, both resulting a goals, which were laughable, but not at all very funny.
The first - two players racing into the area, watching the ball as it was crossed into the area, fell over each other. The official awards a free kick on the edge of the area, from which Slade Green score. The ball flew across the box and was going wide before Neil Perkins stabbed  a clearance straight to May, standing 1 yard out, who smashed the ball home.
The second, four minutes later -  another cross into the box was collected by Eason, but Steve Hanson was pushed over by the Slade Green forward resulting in both players crashing to the ground. To the amazement of all, the referee awards a penalty! After consulting his assistant he decided not to book or dismiss Hanson, despite being the last man! Despite numerous protests from the Bay players, management and supporters alike, his decision stood and May stepped up to blast the ball past Eason.
This killed the match as a contest. Slade Green fought for every ball during the second period and Bay were just not good enough, not having enough invention to put the keeper under any real pressure. There were a couple of chances late in the game for Lewis Taylor and King but these were too easily squandered and Green ran out deserved winners.
The least said about the official the better but I am afraid he is just not good enough to officiate at Senior level football judging by the way he performed today.
Players play badly and make mistakes and invariably get dropped for the next match. Unfortunately the officials do the same but go on to officiate next week without any form of reprimand.

Team: Eason, Moore, Ciano, Perkins, Bremner, Hanson, Jones, Marsden, Brown, King, Lawrence
Subs: Chandler (Lawrence 57 mins)  Lawson (Moore 55mins) Taylor (Ciano 75mins) Not used: Forster,

Man of the match: None

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Kent League Premier Division
Saturday 20th September 2008
Holmesdale 4 - 0 Herne Bay

Herne Bay’s early season form has totally deserted them! With no win in the last five games they are just not creating any real chances. The passing was too intricate and lacked any real purpose.
Playing in the new blue and white striped strip it certainly didn’t look the Herne Bay that started the season in appearance, or play! Take nothing away from Holmesdale they had done their homework. They never allowed Bay any time on the ball, forcing so many errors that Bays passing and possession resembled Sunday morning football.
Holmesdale could have been two up inside the first seven minutes. First a free kick from the edge of the box raced through a packed defence, hitting the upright and bounced back into keeper, Shaun Smith’s arms. From another attack, Sean Bremner headed the ball straight into the path of a Holmesdale forward, five yards out. Fortunately his snap shot missed the target. The warning signs were there and yet Bay seemed oblivious to the dangers.
Then in the space of seven minutes Bay were made to pay for some woeful defending and decision making. On 19 minutes Bremner allowed a deep cross to bounce and was beaten to the ball by the lively  Joel Greaves, who slid the ball back to Steve O’Keeffe to strike a fierce drive past the helpless Smith. Bremner did try to make amends sending Louis Taylor away down the left, who crossed to Dan Lawrence inside the box. Lawrence turned and shot but keeper Danny Harwood pulled off a fine save.
Five minutes later Bay won a free kick just inside Holmesdale's half. Instead of pushing the ball  into the danger area, Bremner played a short ball back to Taylor, who passed it across the field to Rob Goodger. O’ Keeffe intercepted the pass and raced through and smashed the ball home giving Smith no chance whatsoever. A minute later and the game was effectively all over. Taylor sending the ball across the field, missing his intended target. Joel Hughes this time latched onto the ball, his shot from the tight angle was fumbled by Smith  and Joel Greaves raced in to slide the ball over the line.
Darren Marsden replaced Bremner as Bay tried to find a way of ‘steadying the ship’. Fortunately Bay didn’t concede any more before the half time whistle.
The 2nd half was better with Marsden linking up with Substitutes Rhys Lawson and Marc Jones. However Harwood, in the dalers goal, looked very assured and was seldom troubled. The only real threat coming from a Lawrence free kick, which he tipped over the bar. Holmesdale wrapped up a very deserved victory with a Hughes goal just before the final whistle.
Bay look to have a lot of work to do to get their season back on track.

Team: Smith, Moore, Taylor, Bremner, Hanson, Forster, Chandler, Brown,
Lawrence, King, Goodger
Subs: Marsden (Bremner 28 mins)  Lawson (Chandler 46 mins) Moore (King 52mins)
Not used: Harvey, Perkins

Man of the match: Darren Marsden

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FA Vase First Qualifying Round
Saturday 6th September 2008
Herne Bay 1 - 2 Lingfield

Bay certainly dislike the FA vase competition!    As with last year after losing in the FA Cup they failed to perform  against a team, which on paper they should have brushed aside. The performance wasn’t as bad as last year’s against Colliers Wood United but the result was the same!  Take nothing away from Lingfield, they came to Winch’s with only one win in seven games, but  it was evident from their defensive display that they knew what Bay were about. Packing their defence throughout the first half, frustrating  Bays forwards to such an extent that Bay never really threatened keeper Bowtell.
Lingfield gave Bay an early scare straight from the kick off but this proved to be their only real threat on Dan Eason throughout the first 45 minutes. After this, although Bay were totally on top, too many shots were hit high and wide of the target. The best  chance falling to Stuart King. Dan Lawrence’s shot was beaten out and fell to King on the edge of the box but his volley was well saved by Bowtell.   Bay’s decision making today was dreadful. Time after time the pass went astray or possession was lost as Bay tried to bulldoze their way through the packed  Lingfield  defence.
Bay started the second period much more positively by playing the ball down the flanks around the congestion in the box.  Playing with more patience Bay were looking much better and following a ten pass move King fired over from 15 yards. Bay regained possession straight away. The ball was worked up to Luke Harvey, whose first time shot was beaten out but fell to King, who made no mistake from 10 yards to put Bay in front.  
Thinking the floodgates were going to open the supporters thought that Bay would go on to secure the victory. Indeed when Lewis Taylor raced through the defensive line and forced Bowtell into making a fine save low to his left it looked to be all one way traffic.  Then disaster, in the 61st minute Lingfield made their second attack on the Bay goal with a run down the right, followed by a good cross, that found Aaron Courtney unmarked in the box . His first time volley looped over Eason into the top corner . Now the visitors were back in the game and with their ‘tails up’ chased down every ball. Bay just couldn’t get going and the longer it went on the worse they got.  The game became very scrappy and it was evident that extra time would be needed.
Bay for some reason looked tired and just could not seem to raise their game. Lingfield sensed this and chased and harried Bay all  over the pitch.
Five minutes into extra time Lingfield got the all important goal . From a corner Oliver Davis rose high above the Bay defence to head powerfully into the top corner giving Eason no chance.
Bay just couldn’t get their game together. Steve Hanson was pushed up front and he came the closest  to getting Bay back level, but his shot through Bowtell ‘s legs ricocheted off the keepers heel just wide and the wrong side of the upright.
Lingfield could and should have put the game totally safe with 5 minutes left on the clock, when Daniel Jones received the ball on the edge of the box with only Eason to beat. His fierce volley looked to be goalbound but Eason produced a fantastic save to tip the ball over the bar.
However there was no way back for Bay and for the 2nd successive season they exit the Vase at the first hurdle.

Attendance: 150

Team:
Eason, Moore, Taylor, Bremner, Hanson, Chandler, Marsden, Forster, King, Harvey, Lawrence.
Subs:
Goodger (Chandler)  Jones (King)  Lawson (Taylor) not used: Perkins, Brown

Man of the Match:  Dan Eason

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FA Cup sponsored by eon Preliminary Round Replay
Tuesday 2nd September 2008
Chipstead 2 - 0 Herne Bay

As in  the first game at Winch’s Field, it was Bay that made the Ryman League Division One South hosts look very ordinary during the first half.  It was the side in all blue that played like the higher league side during the first half and they looked favourites to earn a lucrative home derby against Chatham Town.
Chipstead goalkeeper James Wastell, who gifted Jones his opener on Saturday, made a comfortable near post save from Luke Harvey as the Kent side made their intensions known early on.  Stuart King, who had just returned from his holiday, also impressed. He put Marc Jones through on the edge of the Chipstead penalty area but he fired a right foot shot wide.
Chipstead, however, were very poor choosing route one football throughout the period. In their first real attack, Gavin Quintyne volleyed his shot straight at Dan Eason after Andrew Wareing knocked down Chris Head’s free-kick.
In the fifteenth minute Wastell, beat out Jones’ right-footed shot above his head, after Harvey left Wareing in his wake down the right-hand side. A minute later Jones raced through again but his weak shot was easily claimed by the keeper.
Another Bay chance went begging, halfway through the half. Facing a four-man wall, it appeared at first that King would unleash a shot towards Wastell’s goal, but he squared the ball, left-footed, to the unmarked Martin Chandler, who’s right-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area flew just over the bar.
Harvey swore at himself when he failed to finish a good chance after latching onto Danny Lawrence’s pass, before the Herne Bay skipper tested Wastell with a shot after a move involving Goodger and Lawrence. Just before the break defender Steve Hanson, who impressed throughout, chipped the ball from inside his own half to send King on his way down the flank.
After cutting inside Head, King’s goal bound, left-footed, drive was turned around the near post by Wastell.   From the resulting corner, taken by Chandler, the home side failed to clear their lines and Hanson fed King with a clever short pass but the striker’s drilled shot was blocked by the goalkeeper’s legs.
This game mirrored Saturday’s clash at Winch’s Field - the only difference, apart from the two goals and the red card, was that an extra 30 minutes was needed to find the winner.
Chipstead were a completely different side for the second half and the remainder of the game as they exposed the space left in midfield. They twice called Eason into action, tipping over shots from both Danny Oakins and Quintyne, inside the opening nine minutes.
Bay’s best chance, however, arrived just before the hour mark, Jones’ header brought a smart save from Wastell, diving to his right, following Chander’s free-kick from the right.
The introduction of Aaron Cole-Bolt was inspirational and the Chipstead winger sparked electricity into the Surrey side. Playing now with four midfield players, they were able to close down Bay’s three man midfield. A feature of their play was to continually dispossess Chandler, Lawrence and Goodger and force Bay deep into their own half.  Cole-Bolt  twice unleashed long-range efforts, which flew over Eason’s crossbar, in a shoot-on-sight policy.  Chipstead’s best chance of the game arrived with just thirteen minutes of normal time remaining.  Cole-Bolt sent winger Josh Smith on his way down the right and his low whipped in cross was met by a low, first time shot, from Oakins, which was superbly saved low down by the impressive Eason.
The 19-year-old goalkeeper excelled again as Chipstead almost clinched victory with 85 minutes on the clock.
This time it was Smith that was causing Sean Bremner problems and after twisting and turning the defender his cross took a wicked ricochet off Will Graham, but Eason reacted superbly and tipped the ball over at his near post.
Despite all that pressure, Herne Bay almost stole victory at the death.  Hanson powered a header agonisingly just over the crossbar from six-yards, after meeting Lawrence’s far-post corner.    Chipstead upped a few gears during extra-time - a period that proved too much for Bay.
Eason was again on hand to prevent Chipstead’s man-of-the-match Cole-Bolt from scoring with a free-kick and Fred Fleming netting with a header. Bay had one really good attempt to break the deadlock and sixteen-year-old substitute Joe Nelder should have done better, when he was presented with a golden chance inside Chipstead’s penalty area, but he stabbed his shot agonisingly past the post!
In the final minute of the first period of extra time, Chipstead broke the deadlock.  Cole-Bolt’s far post corner was met by a powerful downward header by striker Oakins and in an attempt to hack the ball clear, Graham, who has recently been subject of a seven-day approach from Ryman Premier League side Ramsgate, put through his own net.  Their lead was doubled with only 33 seconds gone of the second period and it was no surprise that Cole-Bolt capped off an impressive display with a screamer that gave Eason no chance, cracking a right-footed piledriver from 30-yards, that flew into the back of the net..
Herne Bay were reduced to ten-men with seven minutes remaining when Goodger, who was booked earlier on, was shown a straight red card, retaliating against Chipstead substitute Jake Delaney.

Attendance: 110

Team:
Dan Eason, Simon Moore, Sean Bremner, Steve Hanson, Will Graham, Martin Chandler (Neil Perkins 95), Marc Jones (Joe Nelder 72), Rob Goodger, Stuart King (Andy Forster 105), Luke Harvey, Danny Lawrence.
Subs:
Stephen Baines, Mike Turner, Lewis Taylor.

Man of the Match: Dan Eason (very close with Steve Hanson)

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FA Cup sponsored by eon, Preliminary Round
Saturday 30th August 2008
Herne Bay 2 - 2 Chipstead

This game was played in probably one of the hottest days of the season so far and it seem to affect the Bay players energy levels more than Chipstead’s, particularly in the 2nd half, although in fairness to Chipstead they slowed the game down  and kept possession much better than they did in the first.
Bay, though, should have wrapped the game up before the end of the first 45 minutes! If our visitors had gone in at the break five nil down they would have counted themselves very lucky.
Bay played wonderful football throughout the half and it was only their inability to convert the chances and some very good saves from keeper, James Wastell that prevented the tie from being all over at the interval!
Straight from the off Bay moved forward with real intent and within the first ten minutes Marc Jones could have put Bay two goals to the good.  Unfortunately his first touch let him down and Wastell was able to make the save.
Chipstead, In their first real attack off the game forced Lewis Taylor to clear a goal bound drive off the line. From the clearance the ball went forward into Chipstead’s half. Ending in a poor back pass to the keeper, being on the left, Jones closed him down and realising the keeper was right footed forced him wide and then robbed him of the ball. Jones then nonchalantly flicked the ball into the open goal. 1-0
Chipstead hit back immediately. Martin Chandler getting caught in possession left Neil John to fire just wide.
In 28th minute Danny Lawrence doubled the lead. A forceful run from Taylor, beating two defenders with his speed, and crossing low to Luke Harvey who fired a shot into the box, where Lawrence found space in front of the defender to knock home.
5 minutes later, from a Chandler free kick, Wastell made a fine diving save low to his right. Lawrence following up was thwarted by another fantastic point blank block.
Bay kept up the pace. Harvey firing a low cross which Wastell could not reach but neither could Jones and the ball went agonisingly wide of the upright. Then the turning point of the game just before the break. From a corner, Nathan Cambell headed the ball into the area. Dan Eason appeared to be pushed in the back as he tried, failing to claim the ball, which bounced into the goal to put Chipstead back in the game.
The 2nd half was a different story. Chipstead changed their tactics and Bay struggled to get their passing game together. Chipstead drew level in the 66th minute. From a free kick the ball was pumped into the box eluding all Bay’s defenders. John appeared to handle the ball over the line but despite appeals by Bay players the goal stood.
Bay really dug deep into their reserves to get back in the game but the oppressive heat had obviously taken its toll, but credit to them they negated Chipsteads attempt to get the winner. In fact Darren Marsden, who had a quiet game, nearly secured the win for Bay,  when in the 80th minute his cracking shot towards the top corner was brilliantly turned around the upright by Wastell.
So the game goes to a replay on Tuesday night at Chipstead.

Attendance : 210

Team:
Dan Eason, Simon Moore , Lewis Taylor, Sean Bremner, Robbie Goodger, Steve Hanson , Martin Chandler,
Darren Marsden, Luke Harvey, Marc Jones, Danny Lawrence,
Subs: ,
Andy Forster (Taylor 85 min), Stephen Baines (Chandler 78 min) 
Not used: Aaron Burrett,  Joe Nelder, Michael Turner

Man of the match:  Steve Hanson

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Kent League Premier Division
Monday 25th August 2008
Herne Bay 4 - 0 Norton Sports

The landlord played hosts to their tenants today and put in a strong performance to prevent a major upset. Norton Sports started very strongly and it took 25 minutes before Bay took the lead.
From a Norton free kick Neil Perkins headed the ball straight back over the defence. Luke Harvey and Marc Jones were the quickest to react. Both raced through towards the keeper. As the keeper came out Jones passed the ball to Harvey for a simple tap in. Very pleasing for Luke, scoring against his ‘mates’.
13 minutes later the same pair were involved in a slick passing movement which gave Jones the scoring opportunity but keeper, Smith, made a fine save. Harvey followed this immediately, beating the offside trap, but unfortunately his chip over the Smith went agonisingly wide of the target.
Norton fought back and should have been level when, from a corner kick, Jamie Sharman hit the sweetest of volleys into the top corner. The goal not being allowed because the referee blew for half time at the moment he struck the shot!
This decision seemed to fire up Norton as they started the second half really strongly. A great save from Dan Eason prevented them drawing level after a fine passing move down the right flank between five Norton players which turned Bay’s defence inside out!
Harvey was still proving to be a real problem for the Norton defenders and on 50 minutes he broke away down the left and sent in a wicked cross which left Smith stranded and Jones just a whisker away from making contact at the far post.
Smith was again in action four minutes later tipping over a Perkins header, but he had no chance whatsoever one minute later. Danny Lawrence had a first effort charged down but the second attempt deflected off a defender into the top corner.
Bay piled on the pressure with Rob Goodger, a man mountain in the middle of the park. The crowd of 255 had to wait another 20 minutes before Bay increased the lead. The three substitutes all making their mark on the game. First, Simon Moore put Rhys Lawson away and his turn of speed left his marker for dead. Lawson rounded the keeper and fired into the empty goal. Then in the dying minutes Darren Marsden was brought down in the penalty area and he made no mistake with the spot kick stroking it wide of Smith into the top corner.
A great result on the day and a good attendance. Roll on Saturday.

Attendance: 255

Team:
Dan Eason, Aaron Burrett, Lewis Taylor, Sean Bremner, Steve Hanson , Andy Forster, Neil Perkins, Robbie Goodger, Luke Harvey, Marc Jones, Danny Lawrence,
Subs:
Darren Marsden, (Perkins)  Simon Moore (Burrett) , Rhys Lawson (Jones)
Not used:  Stephen Baines, Michael Taylor

Man of the match:  Rob Goodger

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Kent League Premier Division
Saturday 23rd August 2008
VCD Athletic 2 - 3 Herne Bay

Bay showed their title intent  with a well deserved, hard fought victory over many people’s title favourites VCD. The hosts attacked straight from the off but a cleared long ball found Luke Harvey but he blasted over the bar from 30 yards. Harvey repeated this 8 minutes later, as did both Darren Marsden and Danny Lawrence.
After 25 minutes  Vickers should have  taken the lead but for a  point blank save by Dan Eason. They did take the lead 3 minutes later when  Richard Sinden made Marsden pay for a bad pass firing home from close range.
Bay hit back straight away; Martin Chandler crashing a thunderbolt shot against the bar with VCD keeper, Holder, nowhere. The ball ricocheted back to Rob Goodger, whose first time shot was cleared off the line.
Will Graham suffered a bad injury in the 40th minute and was replaced by Andy Forster. Then just before the interval Marc Jones brought Bay level with a fine strike from 18 yards. The ball took a slight deflection which left the keeper flat footed. This was just reward for the tireless running up front  by Sharkey and the delight on his face was a joy to behold.
The 2nd period was only 7 minutes  old when Sinden found himself free inside the box but fortunately he snatched his shot wide.  Bay then took the game to  their hosts and following a couple of corner kicks they took the lead.  Bremner headed the ball towards the goal. Gary Cook tried to head it clear but managed to loop the ball over Holder. 
VCD  brought on Leroy Huggins, now playing three up front, and the game changed Bay being put under the cosh for the next ten minutes. This concerted pressure brought VCD level and it was Huggins finishing off a good passage of play  with a fierce strike from close range.
Neil Perkins replaced Chandler and it was his header, won in the VCD half, that put Mardsen clear on the edge of the box. Marsden drifted wide, outpacing the  rather pedestrian VCD defenders, before striking the sweetest of shots under Holder into the bottom corner of the goal to put Bay back in front.
VCD struck back immediately and only a fantastic diving save from Eason prevented a Simon Austin header from putting VCD back level. After this Bay saw out the final 10 minutes without any further  threats on their  goal.
A great performance from Eason in goal and a real cameo performance from Sharkey. This was his first goal for Bay and how well he deserved it.

Attendance: 91

Team:
Dan Eason, Robbie Goodger, Rhys Lawson, Sean Bremner, Will Graham, Martin Chandler, Danny Lawrence,
Darren Marsden, Luke Harvey, Marc Jones, Simon Moore
Subs: 
Andy Forster (Graham)  Neil Perkins (Chandler)  Steve Hanson (Harvey)
Not used Aaron Burrett, Mike Turner

Man of the match:  Marc Jones

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FA Cup Sponsored by EON Extra Preliminary Round
Saturday 16th August 2008
Redhill 1 - 2 Herne Bay

Herne Bay travelled to Redhill expecting a very physical game and what a battle it turned out to be! The narrow pitch and uneven playing surface didn’t suit Bay’s passing game.
Redhill were “in their face” throughout the 90 minutes never allowing Bay time on the ball or to play football. Redhill cleared the ball without any ceremony and always chose to play the long ball down the channels, which fortunately suited Bay’s defenders. Bay ran out deserved winners thanks to goals from Sean Bremner and Darren Marsden in the 35th and 57th minute.
Bay should have taken the lead inside the first minute. Luke Harvey raced through and his shot bounced off the keeper back to Rhys Lawson, his  shot was pushed away to Marsden whose low drive was cleared  off the line. Five minutes later a Lawson  header went  wide of the upright.
Redhill struck back immediately with a couple of forceful runs from forward, Dalehouse, using his strength to shrug off Lewis Taylor, but shot wide both times. It took 25 minutes before  Bay strung more than two passes together.
A slick piece of interchange between Max Ciano, Marc Jones and Lawson put Lawson through. A fine tackle on the edge of the area prevented a strike on goal. Then the Bremner goal! A shot from fully 38 yards floated on the wind towards Czanner, in the Redhill goal.
Everyone thought the ball had been turned over the bar but somehow, to the keeper’s embarrassment, the ball nestled in the back of the net. Further attempts on goal from Taylor and Harvey saw Bay good value for their half time lead.
Redhill upped the pace in the second period and within a minute of the restart should have been level. Reid’s shot went narrowly past the upright with Bay keeper, Dan Eason, beaten.
Bay were being pegged back but always looked dangerous on the break. From one of these counter attacks Harvey put Marsden free to run at the goal, ghosting past two defenders before clipping the ball over the advancing keeper.
Redhill now were really chasing the game. With 15 minutes left a long ball over the defence found Reid in space and he somehow dug the ball from under his feet to lob the ball over Eason giving the home side a glimmer of hope.
Fortunately Bay managed to see out play, which included 6 minutes of stoppage time, without any further threats on their goal.
Chipstead now visit Bay in the next round in two weeks time.

Attendence: 87

Team:
Dan Eason, Max Ciano, Lewis Taylor, Sean Bremner, Will Graham, Martin Chandler, Neil Perkins, Darren Marsden,
Luke Harvey, Marc Jones, Rhys Lawson
Subs: 
Simon Moore (Ciano 52 mins)  Will Dunlop (Graham 82 mins)
Not Used: Aaron Burrett, Andy Forster, Steve Hanson, Brad Ashmore, Danny Lawrence.

Man of the Match: Darren Marsden

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Kent League Premier Division
Saturday 9th August 2008
Herne Bay 6 - 2 Sporting Bengal

Not one of Herne Bay’s better performances! But they did get what they needed, 3 points in the opening fixture. Despite being one of the weaker Kent League sides  Bay always seem to struggle against Sporting Bengal. In fairness though this was the best football playing Sporting Bengal side I have seen in the four seasons that they have been in the Kent League.
Bay started in dominant form and went into an early lead after 9 minutes. Stuart King’s powerful shot from the edge of the area was pushed away by keeper, Daigne, into the path of Luke Harvey who followed up and drove the ball inside the near post from a tight angle. Rhys Lawson should have increased the lead six minutes later but a skied shot allowed the opportunity to pass. Was this the return of the ‘Herne Bay bobble’ Rhys?
On 17minutes Darren Marsden put Lewis Taylor away down the left. Taylor raced into the box and fired a low drive which Diagne failed to hold. The ball bounced back to Taylor and he made no mistake from 10 yards. 
From this point Bay seemed to take their foot ‘off the gas’ allowing Bengal to show off their own passing skills. The visitors started to apply considerable pressure on Bay’s defence and were rewarded in the 40th minute when a Prince Pipim shot was deflected wide of Shaun Smith, into the bottom corner.
The second period saw a more dominant Bay. The lead was increased in the 60th minute when Lawson sent a cross straight to King, who made no mistake from close range.
Smith then produced a good save from Pipim 12 minutes later. The ball was cleared away upfield to King, whose first time shot struck the defenders arm and a penalty was awarded. King sent Diagne the wrong way with the spot kick to put Bay 4-1 up.
To their credit the visitors never gave up and indeed reduced the deficit when a mistake in the Bay defence saw the ball fall to Tharik Hussein, who produced a delightful chip over the stranded Smith.
A quickly taken free kick by Smith to Sean Bremner, whose short pass put Andy Forster in trouble. Forster was tackled and the ball fell to Tharik on the edge of the box. Lessons must be learnt from this!
A minute later Bay added the fifth goal, King’s shot hit the defender and ricocheted up over the keeper into the net to give King his first, but definitely not his last, hat-trick of the season. Marsden rounded off the scoring, latching onto a King chest down and stroking the ball into the bottom corner.

Attendance : 101

Team:
Shaun Smith, Rhys Lawson, Lewis Taylor, Sean Bremner, Will Graham, Robbie Goodger, Darren Marsden, Martin Chandler,
Stuart King, Luke Harvey, Danny Lawrence
Subs:
Andy Forster (Graham)  Neil Perkins (Chandler)  Marc Jones (Harvey). Not used Aaron Burrett, Max Ciano

Man of the match:  Lewis Taylor

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The Bruce Smith Sheild
Tuesday 5th August 2008
Whitstable Town 1 - 2 Herne Bay

Bay deservedly took the honours in the inaugural Bruce Smith Shield with goals from former Town players Danny Lawrence and Stuart King.
It was obvious straight from the start that Bay‘s players were really up for the challenge against our local rivals and wanted to gain the bragging rights, particularly after an email stating ‘Whitstable will not lose’ was shown to all the players prior to the kick off.
The one disappointing part of the night was the unnecessary booking of three Bay players and one Whitstable. Local derbies are never ‘friendly’ but there was no nastiness on the pitch, just the usual competitive nature of the players.
The first half display really showed how far this new Bay side have come and with flowing, passing football they took the game to the hosts. King, Rhys Lawson  and Luke Harvey giving their defence a torrid time. The midfield trio of Lawrence, Darren Marsden and Rob Goodger maintained effective control of the midfield. With Sean Bremner as sweeper behind Will Graham, Andy Forster and Lewis
Taylor good protection was given to Shaun Smith, the youngest player on the pitch, in goal. Taylor in particular put the flanks to great use but unfortunately was not seen often enough by his team mates.
Bay opened the scoring on15 minutes Lawrence being put through and finishing with a sublime chip over the advancing keeper, Kevin Fewell.
Despite their domination Bay couldn’t capitalize on their lead and Whitstable started to close down the midfield and threaten Smith’s goal. Ian Pullman in particular was always a constant threat. It was Pullman who, to the delight of the home supporters, brought Whitstable level 5 minutes before half time. Again a very well worked goal with the play being switched from one side to the other and culminating in a low cross into the box where Pullman tucked the ball away with aplomb.
Three minutes into the second period a piece of King magic put Bay back in front. From a Bremner cross King, with his back to the goal 15 yards out, turned and volleyed giving Fewell no chance whatsoever as the ball smashed into the top corner.
Being a friendly both sides started to use substitutes. The changes seem to affect Bay more than Whitstable. They seemed to lose their shape and lose control of the midfield which gave Town the upper hand for a fifteen minute period. Once Bay had sorted out their back line they began to negate the threats on goal. This caused Town to resort to the long ball, route one play which Bay found easy to control.
At the final whistle the delight from the players was so evident, you would have thought we had won promotion! Never mind. A great performance by all with some good , controlled football being displayed. A very mature performance from Smith in goal. Well done Shaun.
Luke Harvey accepted the shield from a disappointed Bruce Smith but I think even  Bruce will agree Bay were the better team on the night.

Supporters Man of the Match: Danny Lawrence

Attendance: 222

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Pre-season Friendly
Saturday 2nd August 2008
Herne Bay 6 - 0 Maidstone United XI

A very good team performance against a very physical Maidstone side. It showed that this team will still try and play football and not shirk the strong challenges.

Goals came as follows:
11 min - King beats offside trap and hammers past the keeper 1-0
34 min - King to Taylor who advanced on the keeper, ball breaks free. Marsden drills home 2-0
52 min - King free kick low drive beats keeper at near post 3-0
70 min - Harvey put through and finishes with low drive under keeper 4-0
79 min - Great  ball by Lawrence pus Lawson through one on one.  5-0
85 min - Lawrence brought down by keeper. Burrett sends keeper wrong way 6-0

Great performances from Robert Goodger and Stuart King. The latter made some superb runs across the line. When the team realise how well Stuart works the line the goals will come. It is improving with every game and Danny Lawrence and Darren Mardsen are seeing the opportunities earlier and earlier.

Team:
Dan Eason, Max Ciano, Lewis Taylor, Sean Bremner, Will Graham, Robbie Goodger, Danny Lawrence, Martin Chandler,
Stuart King, Marc Jones, Darren Marsden.
Subs:
Rhys Lawson, Aaron Burrett, Will Dunlop, Neil Perkins, Acam Todd, Luke Harvey, Andy Forster.

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Pre-season Friendly
Tuesday 29th July 2008
Herne Bay 4 - 1 Snodland

County League Premier side, Snodland gave Herne Bay an early scare by taking the lead in the 15th minute when a fierce drive from outside the area was fumbled on the line by keeper Brad Ashmore and the Snodland forward, following up took the chance.
Earlier in the 6th and 7th minute two chances went to Bay . Will Graham pumped an inch perfect 35 yard pass to Sean Bremner who advanced into the box but his effort was well saved. Martin Chandler followed this with a shot / cross which Neil Perkins headed over.
A Martin Chandler free kick on the half hour from just outside the box, after Bremner had been brought down by the keeper outside the area, levelled the score. His shot crashed into the top corner with the keeper nowhere.
The game changed in the 35th minute when the referee dismissed a Snodland player and this spoilt the game as a real contest.
Darren Marsden put Bay in front in the 40th minute side footing wide of the keeper. Then just before the whistle for half time Adam Todd was put through by Stuart King but he managed to hit the ball wide of the target.
The second half Bay made a number of substitutions and turned up the pressure on the 10 men opposition.
Five minutes after the restart a fine piece of passing play between Todd and Bremner was finished off by Todd with a low drive into the bottom corner to extend the lead.
King made it 4-1 after beating the offside trap firing a fierce drive into the top corner from the tight angle. Three minutes later King missed an open goal when latching onto a great low cross but he somehow hit the ball wide of the target when it looked easier to score.
A good performance from the County League side who, if they perform like this, will be pushing for honours at the end of the season.
The last 5 minutes looked dodgy for Bay when Shaun Smith was forced off with a knock and goalkeeping legend Anthony Deer moved (slowly) into the keepers position. He kept a clean sheet.

Team:
Brad Ashmore, Max Ciano, Andy Forster, Aaron Burrett, Will Graham, Martin Chandler, Neil Perkins, Darren Marsden,
Stuart King, Adam Todd, Sean Bremner.
Subs:
Robbie Goodger, Danny Lawrence, Rob Lawrence, Steve Hanson, Shaun Smith (GK) Lewis Taylor, Will Dunlop, Anthony Deer

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Pre-season Friendly
Saturday 26th July 2008
Herne Bay 7 - 1 Bly Spartans

Bay started slowly but once they got into their stride Bly were just no match.
Stuart King ran his marker ragged and ended with a hat-trick on his full return in a Herne Bay shirt.
Goal of the day, Danny Lawrence, Bay’s second, he drifted past three defenders and coolly chipped the ball over a luckless, former Bay keeper, Daryl Broadmore.
Some slack marking let Bly back into the game and the forward easily clipped the ball over the advancing Ashmore.

TEAM:
Brad Ashmore(GK), Max Ciano, Lewis Taylor, Aaron Burrett, Will Graham, Andy Forster, Martin Chandler, Darren Marsden,
Stuart King, Luke Harvey(C), Danny Lawrence.
SUBS:
Robert Goodger, Will Dunlop, Sean Bremner, Neil Perkins, Rob Lawrence, Shaun Smith (GK)

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Pre-season Friendly
Tuesday 22nd July 2008
Herne Bay 3 - 0 Lewisham Borough

This turned out to be a really good test for Bay. Lewisham were well organised and had a lot of very good players. They came to play football and unlike a lot of teams from the County League didn’t try and kick us off the park! The first period was pretty even with Bay just edging it on goal chances. The period ended 0-0 despite Rhys Lawson getting the ball in the net, but the referee had already blown for a foul on him.
Quite a few changes again for the second half for both sides and with the changes Bay started on top. Rhys  opened the scoring after 10 minutes of the restart, latching onto a cross and firing home from 12 yards, this after a great piece of one touch football between Luke Harvey and Sean Bremner down the left flank.
Adam Todd made it 2-0 with a fine solo effort. After dispossessing the Lewisham midfield player he raced past two defenders before firing an unstoppable volley into the top corner from fully 30 yards. Five minutes later Rhys added his second, and Bay’s third. Martin Chandler sent a cross into the box which Rhys controlled on his chest, turned and stroked the ball under the keeper.
Another good display by Bay.

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Pre-season Friendly
Saturday 19th July 2008
Herne Bay 0 - 2 Horsham

A real treat for the supporters with the return of Stuart King in a Herne Bay shirt.
This was always going to be a much tougher game than last week but it showed how far this new team has progressed. They were never outplayed by the Ryman Premier side and in fact gave as good as they got. Horsham knew they were in a real match, albeit on paper a friendly. Bay continued where they left off last week with good flowing football, Horsham though were a very well organised side and liked the wide open spaces of the Winch's Field pitch. 
They took the lead in the 13th minute. Switching the play from the left to the right the winger delivered a fierce low drive into the six yard box finding an unmarked Jack Page  who made no mistake from close range.
Bay raised their game and worked really hard for the equalizer. A good move involving Marc Jones  and Stuart King put the visitors defence under pressure but the Horsham captain and central defender, managed to deal with the threat by conceding a corner. The first period ended at 0-1.
A number of substitutes in the second period and a first team debut for keeper Dan Eason and defender Rob Goodger. Along with Simon Moore and Andy Forster at the back Bay looked really solid and Horsham were not so threatening.
In fact with the introduction of Rob Lawrence and Adam Todd Bay really took the game to Horsham. After 65 minutes Bay should have been level. A fine pass from Danny Lawrence split the defence finding Max Ciano free on the edge of the box. Unfortunately he hit his shot high and wide and the chance was gone. Another golden opportunity went begging 15 minutes later. Neil Perkins headed against the bar, the ball ricocheting back to an unmarked Rhys Lawson who hit the post when it was easier to put the ball in the net. After this let off, Horsham saw out the rest of the game and in fact scored right at the death when Sam Jerimine raced through and his shot bounced off the bar and over the line. There was a hint of offside about the goal but being a friendly fixture, no complaints.
Horsham won the Titch Willett Memorial but Bay ‘s performance was again very encouraging. There is a real air of confidence about this side which really bodes well for the forthcoming campaign.

TEAM :
Shaun Smith, Sean Bremner, Aaron Burrett, Marc Jones, Will Dunlop, Darren Marsden, Martin Chandler, Danny Lawrence , Neil Perkins, Stuart King, Rhys Lawson,
SUBS:
Rob Lawrence Andy Forster, Adam Todd, Simon Moore, Lewis Taylor, Dan Eason (GK) Danny Williams, Max Ciano,
Robert Goodger,

Man of match:  Danny Lawrence (great all round performance)

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Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 12th July 2008
Herne Bay 4 - 0 Wembley

The air was full of expectancy after weeks of training and this first friendly couldn’t have come quick enough for the players. This was so apparent with the performance given today!  With a near full squad available it was decided to field two different sides in the two halves and from this it can be seen there will be tremendous competition for 1st team places this season.

First  the pitch.  What a transformation after many seasons of playing on mud and weed it was a resplendent Winch’s Field. Much hard work by Ian, Tony, Jim and Martin produced a facility that the players and management alike can be justifiably proud. The pitch was the best ever seen with a complete covering of grass and even mower cut stripes.
The players responded to the surface produced with a scintillating display of slick passing and clinical finishing. Team 1 were slow out of the blocks but once they started to move the ball around their confidence grew. After 15 minutes they were in the lead.
New signings from Lordswood, Lewis Taylor and Darren Marsden, dominated the left hand side. From his full back position Taylor broke through and unleashed a low shot from outside the area which the keeper failed to hold. Two minutes later Marsden, ghosting past several defenders, hit a shot on the run only to see it ricochet off the bar with the keeper beaten. This was followed by another Taylor drive  which was turned around the post for a corner.
On the stroke of half time Luke Harvey was upended in the box. Up stepped Martin Chandler, but his spot kick was well saved by the Wembley keeper.

After the interval Team 2 came out with Marsden and Simon Moore the only players to be on for the full 90 minutes. Even though a completely different team the football played was still of the highest quality. It only took 5 minutes of play before Bay doubled the lead. Marsden dispossessed the keeper and slotted home. A fine move brought Marsden his second and Bay’s third. Rob Lawrence took the ball down the right flank, putting Adam Todd through. Todd pulled the ball back and Marsden coolly side footed the ball into the top corner from 18 yards out.
Bay wrapped the game up in the 88th minute, when Marc Jones raced through and sent a quality cross into the box where Mike Turner was waiting to lash home from close range.

TEAM 1:
Brad Ashmore, Max Ciano, Lewis Taylor, Aaron Burrett, Simon Moore, Will Dunlop, Martin Chandler, Danny Lawrence, Darren Marsden, Luke Harvey, Rhys Lawson.

TEAM 2:
Shaun Smith, Andy Forster, Sean Bremner, Chris Pate, Simon Moore, Mike Turner, Marc Jones, Darren Marsden,
Adam Todd, Neil Perkins, Rob Lawrence.

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