John Smith Memorial Cup

Herne Bay Harriers 5 Tyler Hill 3

In a strong wind Harriers needed to build a good lead in the first half to give them something to defend.

They could not have wished for a better start when from the kick off a defender hooked the ball into the air and the wind left the visitor’s keeper stranded.

Ten minutes later a long drop kick was not cleared and B. Tamplin out ran the defenders to fire past the advancing keeper.

At the halfway stage of the half Harriers were awarded a free kick twenty two yards from goal and Tamplin made no mistake shooting high to avoid the crowded area with the keeper struggling to see the shot.

Despite the three goal lead, Harriers could not increase their advantage largely due to a number of outstanding saves to shut out van Orsouw, Inglis and Hillier.

After the turnaround, Harriers knew they needed to keep possession and keep the ball on the ground.

It started well and looked full of promise but when the defence was finally breached panic set in and in no time Tyler had cut the deficit to a single goal with well over thirty minutes remaining.

Tamplin was withdrawn in to midfield and together with T. Inglis they started to calm the waters and Blackwell & Lewis kept the width to stretch the visitors.

Indeed, with twenty minutes remaining Tamplin played the ball between centre and full back and Lewis ran on to lash home a shot with remarkable accuracy that the full stretch keeper could not reach.

On the hour Tyler were awarded a penalty that was dispatched with great composure.

This meant that Harriers needed to dig deep and fight hard to maintain their advantage.

When Lewis completed his brace with a carbon copy of his first, Tyler Hill’s spirit had finally been broken and Harriers were able to run down the clock.