Squad:

 

Lawrence GK

Dave

Peter

Jason

Danny

Ade

Paul

Phil

Ian

Michael

 

 

After all the Monday training nights passing each other like ships in the night, this was the first time Bay City Strollers over 50’s had got to play Herne Bay over 50’s.

 

 

Once again we knew that this was going to be a tough challenge with Herne Bay challenging for the league title currently in second place.  From the whistle, both teams started strong with lots of good movement and passing.  Herne Bay seemed to have the edge as they were managing to get some good shots in which kept Lawrence busy, however Lawrence was on form showing our opponents that he was going to be difficult to beat.  Despite some good play from Bay City we just couldn’t find a way to get any shots in at the Herne Bay goal.

 

 

Herne Bay were somehow managing to turn on the edge of the box and firing shots in despite Danny’s and Ades best efforts to stop them.  Fifteen minutes into the first half Herne Bay managed to get through with the ball rebounding off Danny’s leg which allowed a Herne Bay player to slot the ball home, despite Lawrence tipping the ball onto the post and into the net.  Undetered Bay City kept up the momentum and finally managed to trouble the home teams goal with Ian breaking through their defence and firing straight at the keeper.

 

 

Bay City came out stronger at the start of the second half which started to trouble Herne Bay;  it was clear that Bay City were determined to make a match of it.  Meanwhile, Paul seemed to be having a midfield battle but kept his head managing to get the better of his opponents, as well as the referee.  With Danny having his work cut out with their attackers, on came Jason who soon tested their keeper with a long range shot.  Bay City were now piling on the pressure but unfortunately a second offence by Ade meant that he had to spend time in the sin bin, however, we remained calm and kept our heads.

 

 

With five minutes to go Dave and Michael came on as we continued to press our opponents who were now a little concerned as we were breaking down their defences.  Peter managed to fire in a shot that just missed Herne Bay’s goal and with less than a minute to go a one two with Phil saw Michael take the ball past a defender which resulted in the ball beating the keeper but narrowly missing the far post.

 

 

The final whistle came as a relief to Herne Bay as Bay City once again showed that they are a team to be reckoned with.  An excellent team effort with Paul and Lawrence being the standout players on the night.