Whitehawk 5-1 Herne Bay

Whitehawk ran riot in the autumn sun at The TerraPura Ground in a clinical 5-1 victory over Herne Bay.

The Hawks dominated from the start as the visitors looked to press the home side and disrupt their passing game.  After Duane Ofori-Acheampong had seen a good early chance tipped round the post by Rob Budd, he rose on 14 minutes to head a delightful Connor Tighe cross past the keeper.

Just six minutes later Tighe turned from provider to scorer after he was picked out on the edge of the box by Dave Martin following a short corner. The Bay defenders gave Tighe time and space to take a touch and volley into the bottom corner. Soon after it could have easily been three but last ditch defending by Bay captain Laurence Harvey denied David Martin. As the half wore on, Herne Bay had chances to get back into the game but strikes by Chris Saunders and Zac Ansah flew well over the bar.

The visitors played downhill in the second half and began in much more determined fashion, forcing James Braodbent into a couple of smart saves. However on 56 minutes Ofori-Acheampong finished with a right foot shot across the keeper after being played in by Dave Martin, to make it 3-0.

Herne Bay finally established a foothold in the game on 64 minutes with Kieron Campbell scoring from 20 yards. This seemed to spur them on as successive chances fell to Campbell and Ansah, both of which went begging.

The Hawk’s three goal lead was restored 11 minutes from time when sub Rob Deda was sent through on goal by a superb back heel by Martin. Deda finished with a cross shot that went in off the far post, for his first senior goal. Budd then made a string of last ditch saves to deny the Hawks with Ofori-Acheampong, Lucas Rodrigues and Alfie Rogers all going close. Ofori-Acheampong finally got his hat-trick in added time. Released by a through ball from Charles Banya down the left, he twisted and turned past Stuart West before beating Budd with a clinical left foot shot to claim the match ball for a classic threesome: header, right-foot, left-foot.

Hawks: Broadbent, Walsh, Banya, Emberson, Lopata, Hamilton, Rodrigues (c) (Rogers 83’), Kissock (Unwin 87’), Ofori-Acheampong, Tighe (Deda 72’), Martin – Subs Not Used: Robinson, Torres

Bay: Budd, Kabamba (Crimmen 61’), Robinson, Harvey (c), West, Saunders, Walters (King-Elliott 68’), Johnson, Ansah, Campbell, Dawodu (Freeman 78’) – Subs Not Used: Lightfoot, Griffiths

Goals: Ofori-Acheampong 14’, 56’, 90+1, Tighe 20’, Deda 79’ (Whitehawk); Campbell 64’ (Herne Bay)

Yellow Cards: Kissock (Whitehawk)

Attendance: 201

Referee: Dan Austin

Hawks Man of the Match: Duane Ofori-Acheampong