Coleman saves Bay best to last
Joe Coleman delivered a man-of-the-match performance for Herne Bay in their Isthmian South East derby against Faversham, where the game ended 1-1. Player-manager Liam Friend humorously suggested that those who chose Coleman for the award should try picking lottery numbers.
The 25-year-old goalkeeper was named the sponsor’s best player late in the match, a decision that surprised some fans. However, Coleman justified the choice with two outstanding saves in the closing minutes, helping secure a thrilling finish after Herne Bay equalized with a penalty in the 87th minute.
"Joe Coleman got man-of-the-match. That was announced in about the 89th minute and everyone was a bit like ‘Really?!’. He then proceeded to make two saves. Maybe whoever picked it, they need to do the lottery numbers!" — Liam Friend
Friend also highlighted the strong performances of other players: "Before that, there were probably four or five that deserved it. Zuriel Otseh-Taiwo did well, Dan Carrington was impressive again, Joe did his job, and Harvey Brand and Scott Heard worked hard in the middle."
Herne Bay's late comeback and Coleman's key saves made the match unforgettable for fans.
Author's summary: Joe Coleman's crucial late saves earned him man-of-the-match honors in a dramatic 1-1 derby draw, sparking playful praise from his manager.