hernebay231004

He's a jolly good Vella

In driving rain in awkward conditions Beckenham Town took their points tally for the week to seven with a hard fought win against Herne Bay. 

The game had two players sent off from each side for second bookable offences, but it was hardly that sort of game.

The visitors were slightly on top in the first half-hour with Town's back three superbly marshalled by Russell Kirkby. Both keepers were kept very busy.

Town's Flaherty repeatedly got behind Herne Bay's defence to provide some great crosses. Unfortunately no-one could get on the end of them. 

With twenty minutes gone Rose and Edwards combined well to set up Mario Celaire - wanted by Kent League rivals Maidstone United - but his shot was well saved by Bay's keeper. 

The visitor's keeper was in action shortly after the break when he pushed a superb Danny Vella lob over the bar.

The pendulum swung in Beckenham's favour in the second half with full-back Nathan Paul overlapping down the right flank causing Herne Bay all sorts of problems.

With half an hour left on the clock Vella received the ball just inside the opponents half he had great vision to see the visitors keeper a little way off his line and floated a superb shot over his head. 

This set up a nail-biting finish. Town could have made it two when Beszant found space to twist and turn then sent a low cross that found Edwards who smashed the ball towards the goal only for the keeper to turn it past the post.

More chances followed but Town just could not add to Vella's goal.

Beckenham assistant manager Jason Taylor said: "Tactically we didn¹t try to change things at half-time.

"We constantly tried to find more space to play the ball around.

"After the break it was crowded in the midfield and we nearly had trouble getting our passing game going.

"But a great midfield performance by Vella and Heaselwood who both constantly probed the visitors defence.

"We always knew it was going to be a hard game and for the last ten minutes, we threw three strikers on to try and go for the second goal as Herne Bay always looked threatening.

"It was a very satisfying performance against a very good side."

Good news for Beckenham as striker Darren Hall will soon be back in training after picking up an injury nearly three weeks ago.