Herne Bay maintained third position in the league and remained on course for the play-offs despite this disappointing draw in Sussex.

“It was frustrating and disappointing, I’ve said to the lads it wasn’t good enough”, said Herne Bay manager Sam Denly, “we’re third in the league for a reason and today we didn’t show why. We’ve been fantastic for the first three quarters of the season and if we want to get on and finish the season where we are then we have got to be a lot better than that”.

It was a frustrating first half for the promotion hopefuls as they over hit free kicks and corners, sent passes astray and seemed off the pace. Despite all of that there were still chances.

On the half hour mark Danny Williams’ shot was palmed round his left hand upright by Jack Howard for a corner and Sam Hasler’s free kick, five minutes later, was comfortably saved by the home keeper, playing only his second game for the Wasps.

After the interval, the match meandered in much the same way although Bay should have taken the lead six minutes into the second half when Lee Browning shot over when well placed.

In the 54^th minute though, a scare for the visitors; Greg Cundle’s thunderous strike came back off the left hand upright. From here on in, Bay enjoyed the Lion’s share of the possession but were unable to grab a winner.

Nine minutes before the end a Sam Hasler 25 yard fizzer came back off a post with Howard well beaten and then in stoppage time substitute James Turner met a Sam Hasler free kick but headed over the bar, again, when seemingly well placed.

It shows how far Denly has bought this Herne Bay outfit when a point away from home is not regarded as a satisfactory result. A promotion play-off berth remains both in their own hands and within their own grasp.

“We looked leggy from minute one, we had a very hard game on Tuesday and that probably showed today”, said Denly, “yes we’ve had a lot of football but we’ve got a strong squad and we didn’t do enough today and if we wan’t to get on and compete like we have been doing we’ve got to be better.”

“I’m the first person to praise these boys, they’ve been absolutely superb this season, they’ve set the bar this season and they deserve the accolades they’ve been getting but today, for whatever reason, we didn’t quite reach it”.

 

East Grinstead Town: Jack Howard, Callum Emptage, Jake McIntyre, Brett Milham, George Benner, Charlie Slocombe, Yacine Gnahore Goldy Capela 80), Byron Napper ( Williams Peauroux 85), Alex Kenlock Jack Bath 65), Greg Cundle, Alex Gaggin

Subs not used: Jeff Allen, Nic Taylor

Sent Off: none  Cautioned: none

 

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Nathan Eastwood, Dan Johnson, Liam Quinn, Connor Sanders, Danny Walder, Danny Williams (Elliott Cutts 54), Mark Lovell (James Turner 68), Lee Browning (Joe Nelder 61), Sam Hasler.

Subs not used: Dan Parkinson, Kane Phillip

Sent off: None  Cautioned: none

 

Referee: Matthew Lee                Assistants: Anthony Cross & Paul Roots

Man of the Match: Dan Johnson (Herne Bay)

 

East Grinstead Town (0) 0

 

Herne Bay (0) 0

 

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)

Saturday 30th January 2016

at East Court

 

Att: 108