John Smith Memorial Cup

Quarter Final

Herne Bay Harriers 5 Deal Town Rangers 2 (aet)

Harriers entertained Deal Town Rangers in the quarter finals of the Cup competition in blustery conditions.

The visitors made the better start and after 5 minutes confusion in the home defence between S. Hillier and C. Tait allowed the striker to fire home from close range to put the away side in the lead.

Deal extended their lead against the run of play with a penalty midway through the half. 

On the half hour mark Harriers were also awarded a penalty which B. Tamplin dispatched with clinical accuracy. 

In the second period Harriers had the wind at their backs and were soon level when D. Lewis kept his composure to lift the ball over the advancing Keeper as he ran through.

As time pressed on, Deal looked the more likely with two rasping shots against the crossbar and B. Hibben pulling off an outstanding save in the home goal.

Harriers held out to the final whistle and were able to regroup before extra time. 

Harriers looked a new team and started to ask questions of the visitors defence and soon found the breakthrough when H. Evans crossed from the left for Lewis to see his initial shot blocked, but he was first to react and his shot squeezed past the desperate Keeper.

With 7 minutes remaining B. Harding on the opposite wing beat his man and fired in a low cross for J. Blackwell, only to see the defender beat him to the ball and steer it into his own net.

With a 2 goal deficit Deal threw caution to the wind in a valiant attempt to get back into the game, but Harriers had the last word when Harding put Tamplin through on goal and his cross shot went low into the corner to seal Harriers place in the semi-finals.