Home   Herne Bay   Sport   Article

Herne Bay 1 Merstham 1 match report: Josh Reid scores injury-time goal for managerless Bay but side are denied first Isthmian South East victory since Steve Lovell’s departure as manager

Both goals came in injury time as managerless Herne Bay drew against play-off chasing Merstham on Saturday.

Young winger Josh Reid thought he had won Bay’s first Isthmian South East game since the departure of ex-Gillingham boss Steve Lovell when he struck in the 91st minute.

Midfielder Scott Heard drives forward as Herne Bay striker Mike Salako makes a run in vain during Saturday’s 1-1 Isthmian South East draw against Merstham. Picture: Stuart Watson
Midfielder Scott Heard drives forward as Herne Bay striker Mike Salako makes a run in vain during Saturday’s 1-1 Isthmian South East draw against Merstham. Picture: Stuart Watson

But even later on, a Lee Lewis free-kick found the net for the Moatsiders as it ended 1-1 and Bay were denied a first clean sheet since November 30 - despite a much-improved performance.

The seventh-placed Moatsiders had created the first chance when captain Matt Drage flicked wide Lewis’ free-kick inside two minutes in front of a crowd of 467 at Winch’s Field.

Herne Bay midfielder Ethan Smith then headed a Monty Saunders left-wing delivery against team-mate Reid on 17 minutes before home keeper Josh Bexon was tested by forward Korrey Henry - formerly of Margate and Welling United.

Four minutes later, Bay defender Joel Odeniran appeared to control with his hand inside the area, only for the away penalty protests to be waved away by referee David Rowland in a largely uneventful start.

Reid was denied by the visitors’ debutant keeper James Shaw in the 34th minute after midfielder Scott Heard’s attempted pass had been slightly overhit and tightened the angle for Reid.

Herne Bay director of football Dan Tanner and chairman Matt Barman took temporary charge of the team at Winch's Field following Steve Lovell's dismissal. Picture: Stuart Watson
Herne Bay director of football Dan Tanner and chairman Matt Barman took temporary charge of the team at Winch's Field following Steve Lovell's dismissal. Picture: Stuart Watson

Bay striker Mike Salako found the bottom corner nicely on the turn, soon after, but he was ruled to have been offside after a low cross from Smith on a bitterly cold afternoon.

Away goalkeeper Shaw was forced to get down low after less than 40 second-half seconds to thwart Reid.

Both teams made switches early in the second period, Charlie Greenwood coming on for the Moatsiders and joint-top scorer Kane Haysman entering the fray for Herne Bay.

With 20 minutes to play, an excellent delivery by Saunders just evaded an outstretched Odeniran for the hosts.

Haysman wheeled away in the 86th minute after he seemingly got to a Saunders corner first at the near post. The goal wasn’t awarded, however, with Shaw ruled to have saved before the ball crossed the line.

Herne Bay in action at Winch's Field. Picture: Stuart Watson
Herne Bay in action at Winch's Field. Picture: Stuart Watson

But just as it looked like the game would end goalless, the home team struck.

Reid drilled beyond Shaw and emphatically into the top corner for his fourth goal of the season, having found space in the first of seven minutes of stoppage time.

That wasn’t the end of the drama, though. An in-swinging free-kick went beyond Bexon and straight in to deny Herne Bay a first clean sheet since November 30.

The clock even ticked beyond the 100-minute mark but there was to be no game-clinching third goal.

Bay, led by chairman Matt Barman and director of football Dan Tanner made three switches from the side which suffered last weekend’s 2-0 loss at Lancing - a seventh defeat from nine fixtures in all competitions.

Herne Bay winger Josh Reid shoots at goal but is denied by Merstham’s debutant keeper James Shaw. Picture: Stuart Watson
Herne Bay winger Josh Reid shoots at goal but is denied by Merstham’s debutant keeper James Shaw. Picture: Stuart Watson

Captain Liam Friend, Reid and youngster Alfie Hill replaced Sinn'Kaye Christie, Freddie Oliver and Haysman, who dropped to the substitutes’ bench.

Young midfielder Oliver has returned to his scholarship in the United States while experienced centre-back Friend is fit again after suffering with a hamstring problem.

Herne Bay, who are 17th, will travel to play-off occupants Beckenham next weekend.

Herne Bay: Bexon, Parter, Odeniran, Carrington, Friend, Heard (Kuchkov 71mins), Reid, Smith, Salako (Rowland 73mins), Hill (Haysman 55mins), Saunders. Subs not used: Christie, Brooks.

Merstham: Shaw, Molloy, Pointing, Drage, Gunner (Greenwood 54mins), Lawal (Barber 92mins), Wilson (Brown 77mins), Johnson, King (Oram 65mins), Lewis, Henry. Sub not used: Allen.

Referee: David Rowland.

Attendance: 467.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More