Herne Bay travel to The Pilot Field on Tuesday evening for an Emirates FA Cup 2nd Round Qualifying replay against Hastings United after the two sides drew 1-1 at The Altira Park Stadium on Saturday.
Ahead of the game, speaking to Peter Guise, Herne Bay manager Sam Denly said, "We've got to start the game better, we were outstanding in the second half in the first match, and we have to take that into the replay. I've said to the boys we've shown that we're more than capable so let's go there with that belief, that we can go down there and win the game and be in the next round. The draw is on Monday, what comes out of the hat might be an incentive but we want to be in the next round no matter who we get. The big guns are in there now so we want to get a nice draw. First and foremost let's just concern ourselves with Tuesday, let's go down there, have the belief that we can win the game and then we'll take it from there".
Really do think this is going to be tight and difficult for us tonight. If we play like we have been the last couple of games, particularly against Worthing (which was the last time we played on a Tuesday night) then we don't stand a chance in my opinion. I can't disagree with anything that the Herne Bay manager has said, but if we want to win this tonight, we're going to have to work hard..
I thought in the first half we gave a very good team display - perhaps the best at home this season. Tom Vickers played well in a defensive role (a pre match injury to Sean put him on the bench), Billy Medlock scored another good goal, Sam Cruttwell had an excellent game and there were other good displays all round.
When in the second half we went three nil up from a deserved but unnecessary penalty, with Herne Bay reduced to ten men as a consequence, the game seemed secure.
But we seem to have acquired a genius for making life difficult for ourselves. Yet again we lost shape, our passing went astray, we became casual and when Herne Bay scored a good second goal on 77 minutes it was another nail biter. A bad challenge led to a second red card for Herne Bay in the last few minutes. I thought we showed good discipline in a situation when things were getting heated; there was clear relief at the end that we had won without obvious injuries or further cards going against us. But still much to do to give us consistency over the 90 minutes.
Thought vickers and Harris both had very good games tonight, vickers performance was bestwas best I seen him play this season n Harris was a nightmare for there defence very unlucky not to score think once he gets one again the goals will start flowing starting to look abit frustrated as just not going for him
Well we can't moan about that ref. he didn't give Herne bay a thing, and both red cards were harsh. If we'd been on the receiving end we wouldn't have been happy.
Good to get back to passing to each other ! Good to see jack Harris worrying defenders (if not the keeper), and 11 v 11 we were the far better side.
Thought the second was a definant red from were I was, first red seemed abit soft but then it wasn't a straight red was a second yellow for fouling in the box
The second red was well deserved. A nasty leg breaking challenge that Jack was lucky to walk away from. The ref had no choice.
Tom was my man of the match but the team played well tonight until the last quarter and I wouldn't disagree if some had a differnt motm.
Some excellent football and quality finishing at last.
I don't see how he can change that starting 11 first half we was brilliant, I know walder n ray are big crucial players but don't think should just change soon there both back fit.
Seems like the end of Okoh is coming unfortunately really out of favour with Gary and Danny now seemed such a promise in my eyes n a great signing
I was very close to the second red. Took a bit of jack but also the ball. Jack made the most if it. Even had a bit of smile at the card. Like I said , the other way round we'd all be moaning.
Just about enough contact for the penalty, but a huge dive to make sure the ref noticed.
I think that the first hour, and especially the first half, we were the best we've played all season. We passed the ball around nicely, created chances and looked comfortable with the ball.
Poor defending from the visitors gave us the first goal on a plate - Sam Crabb did well to volley it home. The second goal was really well played. Again the defender gave Billy Medlock way to much space and he slotted home nicely. It was difficult to see the challenge for the penalty from the PA Box but it did look like he went down rather theatrically, but dispatched nicely all the same. Nothing to say about Herne Bay's first goal and can only applaud their second goal - what a screamer!
My first reaction to Herne Bay's second red card was shocked. Was a heavy challenge, and didn't look dangerous, malicious and wasn't last man so only looked like a yellow to me, but the referee was much closer than me.
Although it was closer than it should have been, I think tonight was as good as I've seen all season. We looked comfortable, tight and played nicely as a unit. Garry and Danny must've watched so closely on Saturday and really exploited Bay's weaknesses, despite a few changes to the line-up. Well done chaps, excellent stuff.
Good game and a much better team performance.
BUT this wasn't the original plan, so there was an element of luck about it, it was only when the substitutions were made that we started to lose a tight grip on the game. And what was the first sub all about leading by 3 goals lose a defender and bringing on an attacker!!!!
Much better from Hastings last night and first 45 minutes was probably the best of the season. We had our customary stutter in the 2nd half and the passing and finishing went astray for 20 minutes or so, but I felt it was a comfortable win and 3-2 really flattered Herne Bay. Honestly don't think the sending offs made a lot of difference. We were more in control against 11 than we were 10.
Nice for us all to be proved right and see some really slick passing on the night particularly in the 1st half when we caused them all kinds of problems. Also nice to see me proved wrong as Tom Vickers was a revelation at centre back. Great performance and surprised how good he was in the air.
Stand out performances were Tom Vickers, young Crutts, who gave us someone at last that can pass a ball and as other have said, Harris had his best game by far for us.
I do agree with Chris, the substitutions were odd and probably a statement somewhere in those decisions towards Okoh, who knows, but I thought the management team had a really good night and cant wait now for Poole in a couple of weeks time. We play like that and we have every chance of beating them.
Yes John, I do indeed stand there, but only when we are attacking. Had I been at that end, I would, of course, have requested politely that the officials explain themselves.
Really enjoyable game last night and I agree with Liam and others about the quality of football we played. Must have been a shock to the Herne Bay manager who was complaining about our long ball tactics. Lots of good passing moves and we moved the ball around very impressively as in the move leading to our penalty. Thought the pitch played faster and helped both sides to move the ball around quickly. What a great second goal from Herne Bay- quite a contrast with his free kick a few minutes earlier which probably ended up in Ore.
Sam Denly has issued a warning to his players - any more red cards and you will not be paid.
Herne Bay had two players sent off in the FA Cup second qualifying round replay at Hastings United on Tuesday night - making it six dismissals in their last five games.
And the manager has had enough.
He said: "I don't know what the answer is. I don't know what the boys want me to say, what do I say to you in the press, or the committee? It's becoming an issue.
"One thing's for sure, no one will be getting any money if it carries on. Whether you're in the squad, on the pitch or on the bench, anything, expenses are gone until it stops, we can't accept it.
"I can't condone it, my team talks are based on this, they're letting me down and the club down.
"Whether they are red cards or not in our opinion, it's another two red cards and I said to them before the game and I keep saying, don't give the referee a decision to make and we are all the time."
Bay went 2-0 down ni the first half and then 3-0 and a man down soon after the break.
Denly added: "We've been deservedly knocked out. In the first half we were terrible, I don't know what's up with us starting games so poorly and the red cards we keep getting, but we didn't deserve anything out of the game and we've got to address it.
"We can't keep giving ourselves a mountain to climb, we're making it impossible for ourselves
I know talking with their chairman and secretary on Tuesday after the game they were concerned over the amount of red cards they were picking up. I think they'll be getting a hefty fine very soon.
I've thought Vickers has played well for the last two or three games. Razor sat in the directors box, I've not heard how he is but hope he's ok for Saturday, I'm sure he'll make the trip regardless.
