Our largest crowd of the season, a win double over our nearest and oldest rivals. The only downer was the way we conceded the goal but at the final whistle we had the points and the win moved us up to 14th.

This was a very dominant display and apart from the first ten minutes of the second half totally controlled the game.

Bay started quickly, forcing Whitstable to defend in numbers and it needed a great reflex save by ex- Bay keeper, Dan Eason from a deflected Ronald Sobowale close range shot. The continuous pressure finally paid off, following a free kick just outside the area, when Bradley Schafer’s shot hit the top of the ‘wall’ and looped over Eason to put Bay deservedly in front to the delight of the Bay supporters at the Stanley Gardens end.

Whitstable were not posing any real threat on Bay’s makeshift defence with both Danny Rumbol and Callum Adonis-Taylor unavailable. Connor Wilkins moved back into the back line and boy what a good job he did. The Whitstable attacks came generally from free kicks looking for Tom Bryant and Nick Treadwell at the far post. At the other end Sobowale was causing all sorts of problems for Town’s defence with his powerful running with the ball at every opportunity.

Danny Leonard had two very good solo runs ending in fierce shots which forced Eason into making two good saves. In the last 15 minutes of the half it was all Bay and they finally stretched their lead when Connor Wilkin’s pull back at the near post hit defender Stuart West and both ball and player ended up in the back of the net.

Whitstable came out for second half more on the front foot and were gifted a goal after a moment of madness from the normally reliable Simon Overland. A long ball over the top for Charlie Smith to chase. Simon Kabamba outpaced Smith and coolly headed the ball back to the keeper. Overland came out and tried to clear but completely missed the ball, which ran through towards the empty goal, giving Smith an easy tap in.

This gave Town the impetus to push forward for the equaliser but Bay’s defence stood firm and it was Sobowale who restored the two goal lead ten minutes later. Put through, he was forced to the right side of the area before sliding the ball past Eason. Bay were now back in control and Tahjae Anderson went close with his shot just going wide of the upright.

Two very good efforts from Whitstable followed; first Taylor Fisher made a driving run into the area before firing a shot which smashed against the bar and away to safety, then Harry Brown’s first time volley from the edge of the area from a cross from the right whistled past the post. Bay had one more chance when Alex Mulrooney-Skinner’s driven volley sailed across the face of the goal.

A good day for Bay after a very bad week but after this third consecutive victory the fans went home singing the praises of the players and management alike.

Herne Bay: Simon Overland, Alex Mulrooney-Skinner, Raphe Brown, Ben Gorham, Simon Kabamba,
Connor Wilkins, Bradley Schafer, Harry Miller, Ronald Sobowale, Tahjae Anderson, Danny Leonard
Subs Used: Lewis Risk (Brown 88)
Subs not used: Victor Aiyelabola, Matthew Hathaway, Emmanuel Oluwasemo
Mom: Danny Leonard

Att: 465