Herne Bay Harriers 2 Dover Athletic 2

Harriers Under 14's entertained a strong side from Dover who will be looking for League honours this season.

The early exchanges were very even and both goalkeepers made great saves to keep out their opponents.

However, after eighteen minutes Dover broke the deadlock with a well worked move and a calm finish in front of goal.

Harriers did not panic and continued to probe and ask questions of the visitors but were unable to breach the defence and they turned around a goal behind.

The second half could not have started worse for Harriers as, two minutes in, D. Watson attempted to clear a cross and his outstretched leg did not make a clean contact and the ball looped in off the post.

A combination of Dover settling for what they had and Harriers grit and determination resulted increasingly in pressure on the Dover goal.

The work rate from both sides brought out the best from both sets of players.

Eventually, Harriers broke through when good work from T. Inglis in midfield fed B. Tamplin who ran on to the ball and shot passed the unsighted  goalkeeper.

As the game entered the last ten minutes there was a long hold up when D. van Orsouw was injured, he would later need an operation and we wish him a speedy recovery.

After the re-start Harriers wanted to complete the job and fortune favours the brave.

For the first time, a defender missed his kick which allowed J. Blackwell through on goal and with incredible composure he chipped the ball over the keeper as he dived at the strikers feet.

In the final three minutes Harriers bombarded the visitors’ goal and on two occasions H. Evans must have thought he had scored only to see the keepers’ outstretched hand turn the ball around the post.

At the final whistle both sides had worked tremendously for their hard earned point and produced a highly entertaining game for the spectators.