OPPONENTS Snowdown &Aylesham LEAGUE/CUP League
HALF TIME SCORE 1-0
FULL TIME SCORE 3-1
MAN OF THE MATCH Charlie Crane & Aaron Bleau
MATCH REPORT
Herne Bay Harrier Colts suffered only their second defeat of the season away to joint leaders with the Colts ,Snowdown and Aylesham in a enthralling game worthy of a top of the league title race.
The Harriers started the brighter of the two sides and came close on at least occasions, the first from a Billy Harding free �kick and then a long range shot from Ben Rogers.
Twenty minutes into the game the home side scored directly from a free kick which gave Charlie Crane, Joint man of the match no chance of keeping out .
Just before half time Rogers was substituted and Tom Wake came on to liven up the attack and with nearly rewarded with a goal from virtually his first kick of the game made which made the home keeper pull off a one handed save to keep the score at 0-1.
The second half started in very much the same pattern , however, five minutes into the half the home side scored their second goal from a rebound clearance that Crane could only watch go past him.
This seemed to spur on the Colts who pinned back the home side into their own half.
In a last ditch effort to salvage the game , Tom Wake and Michael Butler were replaced by Aaron Bleau and Ben Rogers which immediately bore fruition with the Colts only goal of the game scored by Bleau and scored in spectacular form earning him the joint man of the match award.
From a long goal kick Rogers picked up the ball on the right and passed in field to Jonathan Crisp who fed the ball through two players and from the halfway lane Bleau single-handling jinked passed three defenders and calmly walked the ball passed the home keeper to applause from all specatators.
The Colts pushed forward for the equaliser and with time running out were caught short in defence allowing the home side to score their third and decisive goal.
Chris Rogers said after the game � This was always going to be a tough game and I felt that we matched the home side in every quarter , however , the game was won on converted chances which we failed to take . The boys showed true spirit and gave their all , however , it was never going to be their day�
Herne Bay Harrier Colts require only three points from their remaining two games to ensure the position of league runners up.
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Squad
Daniel Mantovani Tom Wake Billy Harding Ben Rogers
Daniel Watson Keiran Brett Charlie Crane Harry Gilbey
Jonathon Crisp Michael Butler Matthew Evans (C) Aaron Bleau