HBU Kings vs Lloret of Spain
Herne Bay United Kings had their first European cup game at the weekend playing Lloret of Spain from the Spanish top division. The game is always going to be a step up for Herne Bay’s side being amateurs facing professionals, but with the help of local sponsors raising the funds of entering such competitions gives the club, the players and people of the town a chance to take part and see the best of a sport that is a tradition in Herne Bay.
The Cheerleading squad the Saxon Stars supported United Kings for the first time and spurred on their team and the crowd to lift the roof at the Pier Pavilion and The United Kings stepped up to give the people of Herne Bay something to cheer about.
Herne Bay United started strong and they were matching the play of Lloret, they were creating chances and stopping the one Lloret fired at United. United had the better of the chances with the team really working together, finally United’s Brendan Barker got a clear chance on a break and managed to squeeze the ball in, United taking the lead and remaining in control with the Spanish side rocked with a team they expected little difficulty from causing them every discomfort they could have imagined.
Unfortunately after all the hard work Lloret got a lucky break after a freak goal from a face off at the corner somehow found its way into United’s net. This gave Lloret the lynch they needed with a couple of team changes using Jordi Rodriguez to his exceptionally strong slap shot and punish United in the final 8 minutes of the half, Lloret taking a comfortable 1-5 lead and Jordi getting a hat trick.
At half time Herne Bay United’s Artistic sections Laura Minter put on a wonderful individual performance showing the alternative offerings from the club Herne Bay United has become.
United Kings came out with fire in their eyes to come back at Lloret again with numerous opportunities and showing they would not roll over and let the Spanish take an easy victory.
A much more defensive outlook to United and timed attacks throughout the half gave them strength. The crowd were loud and United never lay down. Lloret’s only goal of the second half came from a direct free hit through an awarded penalty after Jay Williamson defended his goal like his life depended upon it for the whole half. Eventually United kings were rewarded for their efforts after a fortunate deflection beating Lloret’s Ferran Serra and a final result of 2-6 and Herne Bay United showing the strength and potential they have with the second half score being 1 a piece.
Manager Phil McVey said after the game ” I am very happy with my teams performance today they did all I asked of them the majority of the time, the crowd and the cheerleaders were great, we had a full house and did ourselves proud, we had a 8 minute lapse in the first half but came back and regained our composure. Our attention now moves to our important two premier league games coming up that could decide this season’s title.”
Herne Bay United entire team put in good performances with David Garlick and Jay Williamson putting in exceptional ones.
United can take confidence from this performance and the fact Middlesbrough had a tough European weekend losing 19-1 against Braga of Portugal could add to this with them facing each other in Middlesbrough in two weeks in the hope United can put title back on track.
Team list HBU Kings: Jay Williamson, Joe Singleton, Karl Smith, Steve Clarke, Joel Figueiredo, Simon Hosking(capt), Neil Austin, Richard Walker, Brendan Barker(2), David Garlick
Lloret: Ferran Serra, Roger Perarnau, Marc Tibau(1), Jordi Rodriguez(3), Victor Crespo, Xavier Gonzalez(1), Joaquim Casali(1), Xavier Llado, Jose Martos, Oriol Perarnau
