Herne Bay Harriers 1 Red Arrow Youth FC 2

Herne Bay Harriers under 15’s were eliminated from the challenge cup by Red Arrow Youth FC at Victoria Park in Canterbury.

Nothing separated the teams during the first third of the match as the game was dominated by a middle field battle and shots from distance, with the Harriers coming close with efforts from B. Sargeant, R. Gower and D. Marsden. However, it was Red Arrow who took the initiative on the half hour, with a well struck shot which J. Culver in the Harriers goal could do nothing about.

The Harriers defence of T. Watts, M. Smith, J. Putnam and Man of the Match M. Epps battled against a physical attack and had to contend with a very direct style of play. Red Arrow extend their lead with a break away goal, but the Harriers responded with their best spell of the game and could have taken the lead.

This pressure paid of when L. Senft anticipated a back pass from Red Arrow and coolly collected the ball, rounded the keeper a passed the ball into the empty net. This goal gave the Harriers belief and they took the game to the Arrows. With the Harriers chasing the game Red Arrow beat the off side trap and scored the winning goal to take them through to the net round.

Man of the Match M. Epps

Team: J. Culver, J. Putnam, T. Watts, R. Tait, L. Senft, J. Bishop, M. Smith, G. Allard, A. Jeffries, M. Epps, D. Marsden, R. Gower & B. Sargeant