For what should have been a relatively normal day at the office for Herne Bay United, they were 2 first team players down this weekend, one stuck in new York to the Volcanic ash disruptions and the other to illness.
For United it should have just been a formality of a game against Project 2010, having beaten them earlier in the league 1-19. However the Project showed the progress they have made coming out to match the Champions in all areas and actually going 0-2 up in the first five minutes. United looked rattled and though Simon Hosking put United on the score sheet, they were yet to settle with a catalogue of errors. Barker was next on the score sheet for United levelling the score and so began the change of momentum for the first half following four goals for United in the final seven minutes and though the Project were better it was United who finished. 6-2 half time.
The second half neither team scored until 15 minutes in, when it was United’s Myles Barker who finished an unstoppable back hand to the far top corner. The Project kept on the pressure with a goal back then United again scored for the Project to only strike blow for blow. United called a time out after which they cranked up the pressure pressing the young team, who will be representing England in the European Championships in Northampton this year for them to crumble. United scored six in the final 7 minutes and what looked like a closely fought game now looked as though United were off the gas for the majority of the game to only show what could have been in the final part of the game.
The game finished 14-4 for the champions.
The following morning United would be playing Bury, the only team this season to hold United to a draw earlier in the season, were coming to upset United’s current run of results and make retaining the League title as difficult for the champions as possible. The game was a closely fought from start to finish with United being patient and Bury hoping to catch United on the break. This was the pattern throughout and worked as it kept Bury within striking distance throughout.
United were first on the score sheet ten minutes in through Barker and remained in front until 6 minutes to go when Darren Willis lost his marker and finished well to equalise. United’s Joe Singleton brought United straight back in for Bury to not only draw level but to carry the run and take the lead with a minute left. United piled on the pressure to try and equaliser before the break and were rewarded with Barker getting his second. First half 3-3.
United came out looking in control in second half going four goals up 2 from Hosking, Barker once and Sam Jackson getting his second for the weekend after being out with a knee injury for 3 months. Bury got one back through a closely called penalty but United stayed strong all the way till 8 minutes to go when Bury scored and again converted after being awarded with a second penalty putting United under unwanted pressure at 7-6.
United built the play back up when Barker was fouled and then scored to give United a 2 goal cushion from the free hit. United again held the ball but caused unnecessary tension when Barker and Jackson failed to score opportunities. Bury again pulled one back but United didn’t make the same mistake and held the ball till the final whistle and taking the 3 points.
United remain top of the table and will be watching closely when closest rivals Middlesbrough will play Bury at Bury in the coming weeks, if Middlesbrough drop three points United will be close t0 achieving their goal of retaining the League Title. United’s manager Phil McVey said” Pleased to see the ………….Joe Singleton
United’s next game is new local team Faversham’s RHC Invicta in the National Cup semi final at the Pier Pavilion on the 8th May at 7:30pm.
HBU’s Team list for the weekend games:
Dan Barton, Jay Williamson, David Garlick, Joe Singleton(4), Karl Smith, Myles Barker(1), Sam Jackson(2), Simon Hosking(cap)(5), Dendy Hudson, Brendan Barker(10)
Brendan Baker
