National Cup Semi Finals, two teams, both first legs at home, both still with hopes of making the Final
National Senior Cup Semi-finals (1st leg): May 17th 2014
Herne Bay United entered two teams into the National Senior Cup competition for 2014 and both teams won through in the Quarter Finals and were now to play a two leg Semi Final, with both teams’ first leg taking place on the 17th May at the Bay Sports Arena.
First match of the evening would be HBU Veteran’s vs Middlesbrough, HBU started strongly in this match & went in front after just 3 minutes but the match would be a closely fought out affair and with the first half remaining close. However into the 2nd half and Middlesbrough lack of depth in the squad would be their down fall and inevitably once Middlesbrough had tired United could pounce and that they did. United’s Veteran’s closed out the game 9 – 4 and go into the 2nd leg with a 5 goal advantage and with the hope they can reach the National Cup Final.
HBU Veterans Team: Dan Barton, Garrett Priestley (gks), Phil McVey (1) capt, Karl Smith, Nic Barton, Simon Hosking (3), Neil Austin, Richard Walker (1), Brendan Barker (4).
The 2nd Match of the night would be HBU’s Senior squad vs Grimsby. This would be a hard match with Grimsby only last week securing the National Premier League Title with a 7 – 7 draw against United. Grimsby went in front early on, shortly after 2 minutes through Nik Johnson. United remained focused and pushed hard to level which was achieved when Alex Mount guided the ball past Grimsby’s ‘keeper, and for the majority of the first half the score line remained, but Johnson got his second of the match with a slap shot to the top corner and Grimsby would go into the break with a 1 – 2 advantage.
The 2nd half remained tight through out and United just could find a way past the experienced ‘keeper of Eddie Revill and unfortunately Johnson secured his hat trick and Grimsby would see out the match 1 – 3. United were very promising being such a young side and are very much in with a chance and have everything to play for in the 2nd leg.
Herne Bay United’s two teams will play the away legs on the 21st June 2014.
HBU Team: Eddie Mount ,Rhys Young (gks), Joe Singleton capt), Lewis Greenwood, Alex Mount (1), Josh Branchett, Fabio Vicente, David Martindale, Tom White.
