hernebay201104

King Kedwell attracts more attention

A crazy seventeen minute period just before half time saw both teams reduced to ten men and five goals scored, including a seven minute hat-trick from Herne Bay's 'jewel in the crown' striker Danny Kedwell.

The game started very even with both sides having half chances but failing to test either keeper.  The home side gave debuts to Sam Groombridge - signed from Gravesend & Northfleet and Barry Gibson from Dartford.

However, it was in the 28th minute that the game really exploded into life. 

A break down the Sevenoaks left saw the ball played into the penalty area to the Bay's lanky centre forward Dave Masters and his shot at goal took a wicked deflection of the shins of Ollie Miles and looped into the far corner of the net leaving Darren Smart stranded.

To be fair to Sevenoaks they responded well gaining the first of two consecutive corner kicks, but unfortunately before the first kick could be taken an off the ball incident involving Sevenoaks Andy Constable and Herne Bay's Steve Lloyd saw both players red carded by referee Sage.

Herne Bay reorganised their team and immediately broke straight up to the other end of the field and went two goals ahead when O'Connor was allegedly tripped in the penalty area by Ricky Underdown and Kedwell despatched the resulting spot kick past Smart.

A minute later the game was all but over when a misunderstanding between Smart and Underdown allowed Kedwell to slot home his second goal.

Things went from bad to worse for the home side when a brilliant run across the penalty area by O'Connor saw the midfielder score with a perfect shot giving Smart no chance.

With the game entering first half stoppage time Kedwell completed his hat trick. 

With nothing but pride to play for in the second half, Sevenoaks set about the task well, Richard Bryce scoring on the hour when put clear of the visitors defence.

Five minutes later Gary Wood added a second from the penalty spot.

Sevenoaks had further chances as the visitors found it difficult to raise their game  with Forster, Wood and Bryce all going close with efforts on goal.

Balmer and new signing Gibson both came on and showed well.

Defensively Sevenoaks looked more solid in the second half as the visitors never looked like adding to the scoreline apart from one effort that Smart did well to turn over the cross bar from Masters.

Sevenoaks, assistant manager Julian Leigh added: "The mad spell just before half time killed us.

"Once the second goal went in our heads dropped and that is clearly unacceptable, especially at this level.

"Danny Kedwell is probably one of, if not, the best forwards in this league and that is why various bigger clubs are looking at him.

"But given the time and space added to the errors we committed even only a half reasonable forward would of have a field day.

"The sending off was another unacceptable issue but I don't think many people saw what went on.

"I believe the Herne Bay supporter behind the goal, who was very vociferous, did not help the cause for his own player as the referee, I think, missed the incident as well and sent both players off to balance the books."


Sevenoaks Town: Smart, Miles, Underdown, Groombridge, Hart (Gibson), Wood, Aldridge, Forster (Balmer), Ralph (Draper), Bryce, Constable.  Subs: Spillane, Johnson