Herne Bay United were to face IGR Remscheid in the 2^nd leg of the European Cup match on the 1^st of November, and looking to put on a good performance for the home crowd, and the 50 plus strong travelling Remscheid supporters.

HBU had made 3 changes from the away leg, one being Karl Smith stepping aside to be able to fully put his attention to manage the fixture for United.

United started well and confident with the same squad that  started the last 2 matches in the Premier League and were having the majority of the chances, with IGR Remscheid being cautious not wanting to lose the goal advantage they had from the first leg.

United were looking for an early Direct but it did not come after Neil Austin was brought down. The game was a very physical match and IGR after tripping Brendan Barker were awarded a direct, but Barker was stopped by Moritz Kreidwolf a physical giant in the Net.

IGR got the next advantage with a power play after United’s captain Joe Singleton was blue carded for a high tackle. Eddie Mount stood firm in goal IGR failing from the spot.  United’s Barker got a one on one against the IGR power play but Kreidwolf’s save put IGR on the Counter with 3 against two and beat United’s Mount on his near post.

United kept the team rotation going to keep fresh and with the hope of keeping the pressure up and to get back in the match.  United were finding that the German side were very quick in getting back and defending leaving little opportunity for the United counter attack. IGR were finding it a lot harder to break United down and use their blocks to create space for the shots but 3 minutes from the end of the 1^st half Luis Hages found a way through with one of those shots to the top left hand corner, and 2 nil lead into the half time break.

The second half was a lot better from United and though through an early defensive error in confusion IGR took a three nil lead through Robin Salback, United were to take the game to IGR. Kris White in United’s goal really stepped up his performance and IGR were finding it impossible to get through. The game would remain goalless for the next 10 minutes, until United’s Barker finally got United on the score sheet with 13 minutes remaining. United now pushing IGR all over the rink feeling that win was within reach.

Following an incident between United’s Joe Singleton and IGR’s Jan Henckels both players were sent off. United kept up the pressure and after Barker was brought down in the area 2 minutes from time and Fabio Vicente made no mistake putting the ball past Kreidwolf in the top right and corner. United now one goal behind made for an exciting finish for the supporters but though the chances came they were just a little too late and IGR won 2 – 3 and go through to play Spanish top division side Reus.

United certainly played the best they have this season and are progressing well, this is the youngest overall HBU side we have seen with only two players over 30 and they are beginning to gel and are showing great promise.

One of those Veterans Brendan Barker said after the match: “we really tried this evening and if we were better in our finishing we would have won for sure, but it was a great game for our town to see,  and we are enjoying seeing and playing with the HBU players of the future.”

United move on from this fixture to play Halifax away next week in the Premier League.

Team Lists:

HBU: Eddie Mount, Kristoff White (gks), Joe Singleton©, Lewis Greenwood, Josh Branchett, David Martindale, Neil Austin, Tom White, Fabio Vicente(1), Brendan Barker(1),

IGR Remscheid: Moritz Kreidwolf, Matthias Mattusch (gks), Yanick Lukessen, Robin Salback(1), Daniel Leandro, Maximilian Richter, Jan Henckels, Luis Hages(1), Yannick Feinke©, (1)

 

 

 

---