Thamesmead Town 4 Herne Bay 2

Tuesday 4 March, 2008

Kent Premier Division

Thamesmead Town 4 Herne Bay 2

By accurate Mead reporter Steve Brown

Having played Herne Bay twice this season, Thamesmead knew they were a hard team to break down, so it was refreshing and abit worrying when they came out and attacked straight from the start!.

The first fifteen minutes were belonged to Bay as Themamead's passing game was slow to develop. Even so, the best chance fell to Mead on eleven minutes as a great knock down from Dimmock found Mulholland, whos first time pass split the Bay defence allowing Rikki in on goal, but he was thwarted by the on rushing Bay keeper Delo, who would be Bays man of the match.

After twenty minutes, Mead started to get control of the match and were creating a few more chances, which came to nothing. Bay were threatening with runs from Ben Brown, but Mead managed to snuff them out as he got near to the penalty area, usually by having odds of 3-1 in our favour.

The deadlock was ended from a corner in the 40th minute. A fine delivery from Cable was met by Junior Baker at the far post to produce a powerful header into the net.

Bay responded in the 44th minute with another run from B Brown, who although forced to the touch line by J Brown, managed to trick his way past him and on looking up, and not being closed down, hit a sublime floating cross from fully 32 meters that decieved Conneally to nestle into the top right hand side of the net.

Most people were making their way for a half-time cuppa when from the restart the ball was played out to Cable who jinked past two defenders before crossing the ball. The ball hit another defender and the referee awarded a penalty! it looked harsh from my position in the stand, but the ref didnt hesitate to give the sport kick, which Dimmock despatched it for a lead of 2-1 at half time.

The second half was even more open and made for an exciting game. Rikki Cable scored another trade mark goal on 55 minutes s and Mead took complete control of the game from there.

There was not much play in midfield anymore as the ball swung from end to end as attack followed attack.

Mead missed a couple more good chances and on 70 minutes Keith made the first sustitution. On went Tarrant for Bingi Grant, Brown moved to center half, Watts to right back and Williams in to attack. The change brought instant results as a cross from the right by Tarrant was deflected into the net for an own goal on 71 mins to make it 4-1.

Bay continued to attack and left holes that Mead readily exploited but Cable, Dimmock and Williams all had shots saved by the Bay keeper. Then on 82 mins another jinking run from Rikki resulted in him being brought down for us to get another penalty. This time the keeper guessed right to deny Dimmock a second goal.

Bay, still attacking then got some reward as in a crowded area Simon Brown managed to hit a fine shot through players into the net for 4-2.

It's worth mentioning that on 86 minutes, as Bay keeper, Delo, goes to clear up field Dimmock dives to his right and saves the kick. The incident gave the crowd a chuckle and thankfully, the referee just gave a foul for the hand ball.

A great game to watch, Bay made a good contribution to it being so, and look to be building right for the future. Most of the Mead players played better than of late and we must remain positive for the rest of the season.

Thamesmead line-up (with ratings)

Conneally 7, Baker 8, Coburn 8, Watts 8, Williams 7, Mulholland 8, Brown 8, Knight 7, Cable 8, Dimmock 9, Grant 7, sub Tarrant 7

Next match at Bayliss Avenue

Tue 13th May2008

Kent Youth League

Thamesmead Town U18

Vs.

Erith & Belvedere U18

K.O. 7.45PM