The game started off slowly for Herne Bay U23 who started quite sloppy, but the very young team of 16 & 17 years olds grew into the match, showing resilience and determination.

Both teams had good opportunities to score, but the goalkeepers were in fine form, making crucial saves to keep the game level.
The Bay plugged away to steal the ball back and punch it into just turned 16 year old Luca Beal who pinned the centre half with great strength and then draws the foul and gets a penalty, which he then slotted it away nicely sending the keeper the wrong way.

At halftime, the score was 1-1, with both sides having found the net once. Hollands & Blair Reserves took the lead early in the second half, making it 2-1.
However, Herne Bay U23 showed great character, equalizing through Fenn Roberts as the ball goes across the box twice and he was there to slot it home, then the chances started to flow for the Bay.
Despite falling behind again 3-2 from a 25 yard shot that deflected and dipped in, the young team did not lose heart and picked themselves up again for the 2nd time of the night with 18 minutes remaining.

Again Alfie Hill wins the ball like he did throughout the game and this time rolls one out wide right to Jamie Lartice who then gets half yard on his full back at quite a wide angle 20 yards out hit an absolute screamer into the far side top stanchion to level the score at 3-3.

Chance after chance continued. Then Fenn Roberts pops up and scored his second goal of the match to put Herne Bay in the lead 4-3. Then Bay get the ball wide again and Jamie Lartice then added his second and Bay’s fifth goal, sealing a memorable 5-3 victory and securing their place in the next round of the cup.

Herne Bay U23 Lineup:

Carter Wilson
Jack Hillier ©️
Finlay Turner
Dillon Barman
Jude Sutton
Oscar Walter
Alfie Wood
Alfie Hill
Luca Beal
Jamie Lartice
Sonnie Hemmings
Sam Sarpong
Max Woodfine
Luca McCarthy
Toby Downs
Fenn Roberts

MOM: Alfie Hill

Next up for Herne Bay U23 is a challenging league game against a strong Deal Town U23 at home on Monday. The young team will be looking to carry their cup form into the league.