It was the first time the clubs had met in the Isthmian League and was a game that both sides will argue that they had enough opportunities to win, but Herne Bay’s vociferous supporters at the end showed how much they had enjoyed their afternoon.

Steve Lovell brought in two new signings to the starting eleven - Lauric Diakiesse, signed on Christmas Eve from Heybridge Swifts, was given the centre-forward role and Freddie Oliver who last played Dover Athletic, was handed a defensive midfield role. Ethan Smith also came back into the side after resting through injury at Broadbridge Heath. Joshua Reid was selected on the wing and it was great to hear that Frankie Smith was named among the substitutes after being out injured for two months.

Right from the off Freddie Oliver had the first goal attempt when he latched onto Jack Parter’s header, but Adam Molloy cleanly caught the long-range shot in the Deal Town goal. Deal quickly showed their goal threat when Macca Murray’s short freekick to Tommy Lamb needed a smart parry by Herne Bay’s keeper Josh Bexon.

Bay started the game very brightly and Scott Heard and Dan Carrington linked up with Ethan Smith and his cross troubled the Deal defence. They couldn’t clear, as Diakiesse’s strength allowed him to get a shot in. Molloy partially saved this, but Kane Haysman was on hand to bury the loose ball and give Bay a 1-0 lead with five minutes on the clock.

Former Bay man Rory Smith was part of a lively-looking Deal front line, but Dan Carrington made several timely challenges before there were further threats on goal. Liam Friend did well defending aerial threats from the crosses Deal put in.

Bexon was at his best when Bay lost the ball when attacking and Deal broke very quickly and he had to turn Rory Smith’s shot over the bar. From the resulting corner and some pinball headers, Deal struck the woodwork.

In the twenty-first minute, Deal got back on level terms following another series of headers in the penalty box, Rory Smith scored similarly to Herne Bay’s goal.

The tempo of the game increased after the goal and Deal Town endured some tough but fair tackling from Herne Bay. Both teams came close with headers – Oliver for Bay and Ben Chapman for Deal were two that spring to mind, and Ethan Smith shot wide after Oliver and Diakiesse had combined to create a chance.

So the teams went into the halftime break 1-1, and after a short delay restarting the 2nd half, Sinn’Kaye Christie cleared a header off the line.

Bay were still creating chances, and enjoying the majority of possession. Friend had a header saved and Parter was one of many shouts for a penalty from the Herne Bay contingent when his cross was blocked after he had surged forward up the left wing.

Bay also thought they had a corner when Ethan Smith’s shot looked like it had been saved by Molloy when Diakiesse and Haysman again put him through. Ethan Smith must have covered every blade of grass during the game and was unlucky today when in front of the goal.

Bay continued to search for the goal that would have put them back ahead. Christie, who was having his best game since signing at the beginning of December, won the ball again with a strong challenge and played forward to Scott Heard whose long shot went wide of the goal.

Deal Town full-back, Jack Paxman, hit the post in the 68th minute and then numerous substitutions were made by both sides.

Both teams sought to find a winner by making substitutions. Bay was pleased to see Frankie Smith after his long layoff and Mike Salako was brought in the hope he could grab a goal. He had a shot just wide and another brought a save from Molloy.

Deal Town had a couple of corners in the five minutes added on but good defensive headers from Salako and Friend meant that the game finished in a draw.

Bay hope to build on this performance in the next two home games over the holiday period.

Herne Bay: Bexon, Carrington, Parter, Christie, Friend, E Smith (Rowland 76’), Oliver, Heard, Diakiesse (Salako 69’), Haysman, Reid (F Smith 89’)

Subs Unused: Hillier, Da Lomba

Yellow Cards: Parter (27’), Friend (77’)

Next Fixtures:
Saturday 28th December 15:00, HOME v Littlehampton (Isthmian South East)
Wednesday 1st January 15:00, HOME v Margate (Isthmian South East)