With a much improved second half performance Herne Bay progressed into the 1st round of the Buildbase FA Trophy, winning 2-1 with goals from Ben Gorham and Jake Embery.

Unfortunately the bumpy pitch did not lend itself to slick passing football, which for the first twenty minutes suited Aylesbury’s style of play. Bay struggled to get any cohesive passing together as Aylesbury forced the play.

With their first real threat on goal the host took the lead; with Martin Griggs and Jordan Frederick overlapping down the left flank saw Frederick free inside the box and his powerful strike from 6 yards gave Jordan Beeney no chance.

Bay hit back straight from the restart with a number of concerted attacks but keeper, Nick Bennion, saved everything thrown at him; turning shots around the post; twice from Tom Carlton and again from Raphe Brown. Connor Wilkins heading over the bar and seconds before the half time whistle Carlton blazed over from 12 yards.

Bay started the second half where they left off in the first. Half time substitute Danny Leonard had his shot deflected for a corner, from which Matt Fry shot whistled by the wrong side of the post. Bay were now dominant restricting their hosts to the occasional long ball attack.
Nine minutes into the half and Bay were level; from a Carlton corner Ben Gorham rose unchallenged to power a header into the top of the net. It was all Bay now pinning the hosts deep in their own half and in came as no surprize when in the 60th minute they scored what was to be the match winning goal.

Raphe Brown is put away down the left, his low cross was intercepted by a defender but as the ball headed towards the bye line, Raphe kept his run going, pulling the ball back towards the near post allowing Jake Embery to nip in front of his marker to flick the ball into the far corner.

Aylesbury tried to force the game but never really threatened and Bay’s defence held firm to see out the game and get their name into Monday’s draw.

Team: Jordan Beeney, Simon Kabamba, Raphe Brown, Ben Gorham, Matt Fry, Danny Rumbol, Bradley Schafer, Tom Carlton, Jake Embery, Miles Cornwell, Connor Wilkins

Subs used: Danny Leonard (Wilkins 46) Michael-Frazer Osunkoya (Cornwell 85)