Herne Bay 1-2 Erith & Belvedere - Hopefully we've done ourselves justice, says Collins

Saturday 07th August 2010

HERNE BAY 1-2 ERITH & BELVEDERE
Safety Net Associates Kent League
Saturday 7th August 2010
Stephen McCartney reports from Winch’s Field

ERITH & BELVEDERE manager Micky Collins says he is keeping his feet firmly on the ground - despite his side claiming an opening day scalp.

The Deres travelled to last season’s Kent League runners-up Herne Bay and returned home with all three points, courtesy of two-goal hero Marcus Cassius, a nippy 20-year-old striker, who is on loan from Blue Square Bet South side Bromley.

Cassius is no stranger to this level of football, because during the 2008-2009 campaign he bagged 43-goals for Erith Town, before securing a £3,000 transfer move to Hayes Lane, where his chances were limited last season.

His ten minute second half brace stunned Herne Bay, who pulled a goal back through substitute striker Stuart King at the death.

Collins, who was in charge of his first game at the club and handed seven players their debuts at Winch’s Field today, was naturally pleased with the result.

“The lads worked very hard, come here and worked extremely hard,” the 39-year-old told www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards.

“Herne Bay are a good side, they play extremely good football. Simon (Halsey) and the management team he’s got here are good lads and they set-out and play football the right way.

“Hopefully we’ve done ourselves justice. As I say, we never came into the game with a full squad because we’ve had injuries all week, but the lads equipped themselves well.

“We came here with a game plan and try to win the game. Fortunately, for us, we’ve done that.”

But Collins warned: “But it’s the first game of the season. You never look into what’s going on in the first game of the season because you could lose the next 25!”

Herne Bay boss Simon Halsey handed debuts to Tom Bryant (who played for Tonbridge Angels last season before training with Ashford Town before his arrival at Herne Bay last week), John Ralph (Hythe Town) and midfielder Jimmy Corbett, who moved from Gillingham to Premier League Blackburn Rovers for £1m earlier in his career.

And it was the home side that created the game’s first chance when a headed clearance from Erith & Belvedere’s Paul Butler went straight to Dan Lawrence whose bouncing cross was struck on the half-volley by striker Rob Lawrence, which was tipped over by former Chatham Town stopper Richard Stroud.

Stroud caught the ball from underneath his crossbar as Herne Bay left-back Jamie Maxted tried his luck with a dipping curling effort from 40-yards, which was destined for the far corner.

Herne Bay keeper Dan Eason made a low save to his right after 17 minutes when Deres’ strong midfielder Sean Brown cracked a right-footed drive from 35-yards.

But Dan Westerman showed the ugly side of the game in the 37th minute when his right-foot connected with Michael Turner’s chest whilst the Herne Bay left-sided midfielder was lying on his back as the pair tussled for the ball.

But Westerman whipped in his third excellent low centre from the right and there were agonising screams from the visiting officials when Eason got a crucial touch at the near post to prevent the ball finding Danny Tipple (who had ghosted in at the far post) steering the ball over the line from close range.

However, Herne Bay almost grabbed the lead inside stoppage time. Dan Lawrence swung in a corner from the left and central defender Bryant got everything behind a bullet header, which somehow stayed out.

Last season’s Kent League Cup holders (Herne Bay) came agonisingly close to breaking the stalemate inside the opening four minutes of the second half.

Once again, Dan Lawrence whipped in a teasing free-kick from the inside left-channel and the visiting defence failed to pick up Jake Gess at the far post - and his bullet header bounced on top of the crossbar and dropped out for a goal-kick.

And within a minute of his introduction, King played a slick one-two with strike partner James Turner, before striking a left-footed shot from 25-yards, which bounced off Stroud’s body at his near post.

But it was Erith & Belvedere that drew first blood, taking the lead after 57 minutes, with a sweet finish from Cassius.

Picking the ball up from Tipple’s lay-off, Cassius unleashed a bending 25-yard right-footed drive, which gave Eason no chance as the ball nestled inside the bottom near corner.

Within 59 seconds of his goal, Cassius was sent sprawling to the ground, following Ralph’s penalty box challenge - Kent League debutant referee Mr Stephen Brown waved appeals away, much to the anguish of the occupants in and around the visitors dug-out.

Eason made a flying save to prevent Sean Brown scoring from a fierce 30-yard drive, tipping the goal bound effort over the bar.

But he couldn’t do anything about Collins’ charges doubling their lead after 67 minutes.

John Wilfort stole possession in midfield and laid the ball off to hardworking striker Steve Wetherley, who slipped the ball through to Cassius, who rounded Eason comfortably and swept the ball into the back of an empty net.

The introduction of winger Byron Walker, playing against his former side, seemed to lift the home side - Jamie Maxted looping a header (from Gess’ chipped ball into the box) over the bar when well placed at the far post.

David Crofts then sent Walker on a run down the middle and his right-footed dipping drive just missed the target, before Herne Bay pulled a goal back with four minutes left.

James Lyons was booked for showing dissent following a challenge on James Turner, which resulted in Herne Bay being awarded a free-kick some 25-yards from goal.

Up stepped King and he fired a crisp left-footed angled free-kick through the crowded penalty area and the ball nestled into the bottom far corner.

Referee Mr Brown seemed to even things up when two minutes into stoppage time he waved away strong appeals for a Herne Bay penalty after Walker was upended by Danny Twin.

Collins was naturally pleased with Cassius’ match winning contribution.

“Marcus is a good player, he’s been unfortunate at Bromley, where he’s not managed to feature because they’re such a strong outfit,” he explained.

“Hopefully he’ll stay for the season. We’ve got him on loan for the year and he’ll improve and he’ll learn and that’s why he’s here and he proved the point with two good goals.

“He’s still got things in his game that he needs to get right and hopefully with mine and other people’s help, that will happen.

“He’s a quality player. You don’t play at Conference South level like he has unless you’ve got a bit about you -and if he was a little bit quicker he’ll probably play in the Football League.”

But Collins will not be jumping up and down following today’s result - and Hythe’s defeat to Ricky Bennett’s VCD Athletic.

He said: “I’ve been in football a long time and results can go anyway on opening day. People are finding their feet. Herne Bay may have lost to us today but they will be there at the end of the season.

“You’re still building your squad, it still feels like pre-season to me, it’s so early, but we’ve got three points on the table and that’s the most important thing today.”

Herne Bay boss Simon Halsey, meanwhile, was a disappointed figure when he spoke to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, following his side’s surprise defeat.

“I’m disappointed losing by the manner that we lost really,” he said. “Having contained them we know Cassius was as quick as hell up front. You could see for yourself today they didn’t (trouble us) much than one long ball into his areas for the big 10 (Wetherley) to flick on for him to run onto and we dealt with it.

“And then we conceded two sloppy goals. My goalkeeper passed it to him, a great finish to the boy, but at the end of the day, don’t get me wrong, when our goalie’s got it, we’ve set ourselves up in an advanced area and it’s a poor kick from the goalkeeper and the second one’s pretty much the same.

“My centre forward’s dropped in deep, a week challenge, didn’t hold onto it and their bloke scored, so disappointing in the manner we’ve lost.”

Halsey, however, was pleased that King got on the goalscoring charts.

He said: “Stuart’s fine. Stuart’s back on it now, he’s back on it. He had a bit of a slight strain so we rested him Tuesday and we gave him a half today and he’s got no reaction from it.

“That’s doing what Stuart’s good at - and that’s scoring goals and he’s proved that again today.

“I don’t like setting my players targets. Stuart’s set his own and I’m sure his target is to win the Golden Boot this year. He’s injury free now so it bodes well for him.”

But there is still a long way to go in the title race.

“It’s a marathon isn’t it? It’s not a sprint,” added Halsey. “We’ve got another 31 games to go so I’ve got absolutely no worries.

“Even under pressure we’re trying to play football. A lot of teams in this league they’re one ball is a long out ball. That’s our last resort. We try and play football and we did try today. There were positives out of it, don’t get me wrong, I’m just disappointed with the manner we lost today, the two sloppy goals.”

Herne Bay: Dan Eason, Sam Baker (David Crofts 75), Jamie Maxted, Tom Bryant, John Ralph, Jake Gess, Dan Lawrence, Jimmy Corbett, Rob Lawrence (Stuart King 55), James Turner, Michael Turner (Byron Walker 66).
Subs: Simon Brown, Ben Brown.

Goal: Stuart King 86

Booked: Jake Gess 90

Erith & Belvedere: Richard Stroud, Paul Butler, Danny Tipple, James Lyons, Danny Twin, John Wilfort, Adrian Deane, Dan Westerman, Marcus Cassius, Steve Wetherley, Sean Brown (Chris Kinnear 82).
Subs: Sam Prett, Paul Gross, Tommy Youle, George Kendall.

Goals: Marcus Cassius 57, 67

Booked: James Lyons 86

Attendance: 165
Referee: Mr Stephen Brown (Ashford)
Assistants: Mr Dave Shrewsbury (Folkestone) & Mr Darren Ellis (Canterbury)