Kentish Football 
Herne Bay 3-0 Camberley Town - We can now mix it with the big teams, says Simon Halsey
Saturday 13th November 2010
HERNE BAY 3-0 CAMBERLEY TOWN
FA Carlsberg Vase Second Round
Saturday 13th November 2010
Peter Guise reports from Winch’s Field
HERNE BAY extended their unbeaten sequence in all competitions to 14 with this comprehensive and, ultimately, comfortable victory against their rugged opponents from the Combined Counties League, making light of the absence of injured top scorer Stuart King.
“We were emphatic, said Herne Bay manager Simon Halsey, when speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk after the game, “against a very difficult and direct side. Our football told in the end and we deserved to win.”
The Surrey side had chances early on with Martin Girling shooting straight at the excellent Dan Eason in the opening minute.
Eason was at his best again to save a pile-driver from distance that flew from the boot of Michael Smith.
Indeed, Smith seemed to be Camberley’s main route to goal with the thoroughfare to him being mostly the long ball hoofed from deep.
But Herne Bay weathered the early storm and Darren Marsden, later to be named Man of the Match, opened Bay’s account on 25 from the penalty spot after having been bundled over in the box himself to win the spot kick.
Almost immediately, Michael Jenner sent a 35 yard free kick fizzing pat the visitors’ right hand upright.
The latter stages of the first half were fractious and ill tempered. Camberley’s Michael Blount was booked for scything down Byron Walker in full flight. Walker himself seeing the yellow card flourished in his direction for kicking out in Beckham-esque fashion. With emotions rising on the pitch, the referee called a halt to the first 45.
Herne Bay took control after the break, Toby Ashmore settling the Bay supporters’ nerves with a superb scorching strike from a free kick awarded 35 yards from goal. Truly tremendous, a goal worthy of the other side of Beckham.
With the nerves settled, Bay made passage to the third round secure when, with just 7 minutes left, Bryon Walker tapped home from no more than a yard following Marsden’s mazy right wing run.
“I thought we outplayed them in the first half,” exalted Halsey, “and football told in the second. It was just a case of having the mental strength to go on and win the game. I thought our back line and holding midfield players were outstanding today.”
Camberley Town had clearly misunderstood the script when they spotted the diminutive Dan Easton between the Herne Bay sticks.
Bay’s manager praised his ‘keeper, “Dan’s a great goalie, they’re a big side and I just to my players make sure we protect him. Our work rate was excellent. We’ve learnt a lot and we can now mix it with the big teams. We used to be weak when it got a bit tougher but I’ve brought in a few players and we’re a lot tougher. We’ve got this winning ability now.”
Inevitably, Herne Bay want league success and promotion to the Ryman League. The FA Vase is not just a distraction though for Halsey. “If you stood here now and told me it was a choice between winning the league and an FA Vase Final appearance, I’d have to go away and deliberate on that,” said Halsey. That’s a refreshing and honest statement!
It will be Herne Bay’s first appearance in the third round proper since 1998/99. The last word with Halsey, then, “I don’t want another Kent League side in the next round, I enjoy playing against different sides.”
The draw for the third round is on Monday 15th November.
Herne Bay: Eason, Ashmore, Lawson, Bryant, Hanson, Crofts, Corbett (Eastwood 63,) Jenner, Marsden, Walker, M Turner.
Subs: S Brown, Perkins, Maxted, D Lawrence.
Goals: Darren Marsden 25 (pen), Toby Ashmore 73, Byron Walker 83
Booked: Tom Bryant, Byron Walker, Darren Marsden
Attendance: 180
Referee: Mr Jeff Lengthorn
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