HBU 6 – 5 Bury
Location: Peterborough
Time: 5:30
Date: 18th July
Herne Bay United faced Bury in the final of the National Cup on Saturday at the Orton Centre in Peterborough. United started strongly, moving the ball around well and dominating possession. Bury’s defence held firm but with 10 minutes gone HBU captain Simon Hosking beat 2 players wrong footed the keeper and slotted the ball home to put the reigning champions 1-0 up. Within 20 seconds Neil Austin found the back of the net to make it 2-0. Bury were struggling to contain United, who were moving the ball around well, with some excellent movement off the ball. 3 minutes later United scored again, this time Austin and Barker combined well before Barker crossed the ball to the far post for Hosking to score again to make it 3-0.
Bury were still battling but it was United on the charge, with 8 minutes remaining Brendan Barker netted to make the score 4-0. The game was looking very one sided at this point, but United started to ease off and Bury capitalised scoring 2 goals in the last 5 minutes of the half to make the score 4-2 at the break.
The second half was a much more even affair. United started the better and were rewarded when Dendy Hudson scored from close range to make it 5-2 with only 50 seconds gone. Bury continued to battle and their efforts were rewarded when they scored through Darren Willis to make it 5-3 with 16 minutes left. 2 minutes later Ricky Jupp scored for Bury to make it 5-4 and Bury were now playing with belief. 2 minutes later their comeback was complete when Jack Holmes scored from close range to tie the game at 5-5. United though showed why they are champions, as they attacked Bury with renewed vigour. With 10 minutes remaining Barker forced his way through the Bury defence and finished well, firing the ball into the top corner of the net to put United 6-5 up. The reigning champions were not going to lose this lead and they successfully held Bury at Bay for the rest of the game.
After the game HBU captain Simon Hosking said: “We made hard work of it, and all credit to Bury, they pushed us all the way, but we did enough to just edge it and the lads are delighted with the win. We have won the treble for the 2nd year running and it makes all the hard work worth it. It has been a long hard season and we are all looking forward to having a break for 6 weeks before it all starts again.”
HBU Coach Phil McVey added: “I am pleased with the win, although we were far from our best, Bury gave us a very stiff test but all the lads gave 110% and we dug out the victory. I’m proud of all my players, throughout the whole season they have all remained totally committed, and they deserve all the accolades they get. We have won the treble 2 years in a row. The player’s commitment and team spirit are an example to all. It’s not easy getting to the top, it’s even harder staying there.
Kind Regards
Phil McVey
