An in-club altercation with eight minutes left on the clock, leading 1-0, and their centre back sent off, Whitehawk capitulated under extreme Herne Bay pressure to lose 3-1.

The first half produced an end-to-end game, with both sides playing attractive football, although in fairness the visitors looked to be a far greater, threat with ex-bay favourite, Ronald Sobowale, proving to be a real handful leading their front line.

In the opening 20 minutes Hawks keeper, Matt Smith, was the busier of the two keepers, producing two full stretch saves turning the ball around the post from efforts by Keiron and TT but this all changed in the 25th minute.

Sobowale made his trademark surging run at the defence; his goal bound effort was cleared off the goal line by DJ. The loose ball was picked up by Henry Muggeridge and his cross was deflected catching George flat-footed.

As he frantically tried to stretch up, he palmed the ball, which was going wide of the far post, over the line to give the visitors a rather fortunate lead.

From this point Hawks controlled the play, their midfield frustrated all Bay’s attacks before they reached their penalty area.

Mo Kamara was introduced immediately at the start of the second period and this seemed to provide the impetus Bay needed.

Bay were providing a real attacking threat but Whitehawk were still looking very composed in defence.

After 70 minutes Deano was introduced into the game and with his bustling, robust play started to unsettle the, up to that point, solid defensive back line.

Whitehawk were content to try and hit on the break and George kept Bay in the game with a couple of good saves from Sobowale.

If fact Ron missed a glorious chance to double Hawks lead when, with the goal at his mercy, he stood on the ball instead of rolling it over the line and the opportunity went.

Then, after Bradley broke through their defence and fired a shot just over the bar, the bust-up between two defenders occurred with fists flying everywhere. The referee had no choice but to dismiss the centre back.

TT was now causing all sorts of problems with his forceful runs and from one of these he was unceremoniously brought down 25 yards from goal.

Up stepped Bradley to send a perfect cross to the far post, where Deano headed the ball back over the keeper giving Laurence the simple task of tapping the home.

Bay were now applying severe pressure on the 10 men of Whitehawk and as soon as Bay approached their penalty are, they drew a foul; this time Bradley the victim.

Edgar, who had only been on the pitch for about 10 minutes, fired in a fantastic free kick which rattled against the bar but again Laurence was in the right place to head the rebound high into the net. 

Hawks tried to hit back and nearly struck an equalizer but the ball just went wide of the upright. From the next Hawks attack, the ball was cleared with a long punt up-field; chased down by Deano. Smith came out of his goal but as he tried to head the ball away, he clashed with a defender.

The ball fell kindly for Zak, who coolly took his time, working  his way into the box before placing his shot in the bottom corner to give Bay a fine victory, and three vital points, over a very good Whitehawk side.

Herne Bay: George Kamurasi, Ryan Cooper, Laurence Harvey, Dan Johnson, Danny Lawrence, Tushaun-Tyreese Walters, Zak Ansah, , Kieron Cambell, Dan Carrington, Jordan Hibbert, Bradley Stevenson ,

Subs Used:  Mo Kamara (Carrington (47) Dean Grant (Hibbert 69) Antony Edgar (Campbell 77)

Subs Not Used: Tom Carlton, Mobolaji Dawodu

Attendance: 383