Despite a much improved performance today Herne Bay bowed out of the Buildbase FA Trophy losing 0-1 to Southern Premier League, Needham Market.
In the first half the visitors controlled the play but the new defensive line, marshalled brilliantly by Matt Fry restricted their actual goal scoring opportunities. Jeremiah Kamazi had their first chance as he broke through the back line but scuffed his shot harmlessly wide.
As Bay came more into the game Danny Leonard disposed the defender and raced into the box but his low drive was well saved by the out stretched leg of keeper, Jake Jessup.
From the corner kick Jessup again pulled off a good one handed save, pushing Danny Rumbol’s header around the upright. New Signing Kyron Lightfoot fired in a good volley inches over the bar. Back came Needham Market and their pressure nearly paid off as Fry fouled Kamazi on the edge of the box.
The resulting free kick forced new keeper, Simon Overland into a full length diving save, the ball rebounded back into the path of the Needham forward but Overland was back up to block shot and force the ball away for a corner. From the corner kick their new signing, centre forward, James Baker somehow mis-timed his goal attempt and blazes it high over the bar in what was the last effort of the half.
For the first 15 minutes of the second period Bay took the game to the visitors and with a little piece of luck could have opened the scoring. Jake Embery had the first attempt on goal, getting past his marker who mis-judged the flight of the ball, but he snatched at his shot, hitting it wide of the target.
A good interception by Alex Mulrooney-Skinner in his own half followed by a forceful run from which he was brought down just outside the Needham area. Tom Carlton curled the free kick around the wall but it did not curl enough as it whistled past the outside of the near post with the keeper nowhere.
Still forcing the game a Miles Cornwell header from Carlton’s corner was tipped over the bar by Jessup and from that corner kick, Rumbol’s header hit the inside of the post and rolled along the line only to be cleared by the full back.
Bay replaced Lightfoot with another debutant, Tom Barton, who gave an impressive performance in his first start. Unfortunately he did not make the same impact as Needham Market’s substitute, Reece Dobson who after only minutes of coming on, hit the only goal of the game.
Good work down the right flank by Adam Mills, pulling the ball back from the by-line where Dobson struck a fine volley from 18 yards past Overland to give the visitors the single goal victory that takes them into the next round.
A very good performance from Bay which hopefully we can take down to second placed Hastings United on Tuesday evening. Hastings didn’t have a game today so they will be much fresher than us so it will be another stern test for our players.
Herne Bay: Simon Overland, Simon Kabamba, Alex Mulrooney-Skinner, Danny Rumbol, Matt Fry, Miles Cornwell, Bradley Schafer, Tom Carlton, Jake Embery, Danny Leonard, Kyron Lightfoot
Subs Used: Tom Barton (Lightfoot 67)
Subs not used: Leshawn Clifford-Awoyemi, Jamie Chamberlain, Michael-Frazer Osunkoya, Jordan Beeney.
Mom: Matt Fry