After weathering the expected early Faversham pressure Bay soon got their passing game together and took control of the first half.

Despite their dominance Town’s keeper Simon Overland was well protected by central defenders Matt Bourne and former Hythe Town
Captain, Dave Cook who blocked a number of Bay efforts.

Bay had a couple of good shouts for a penalty when, first Jake Embery and then Miles Cornwell were unceremoniously brought to ground, but referee Joe Stokes waved away the strong Bay appeals.

Overland was forced into producing three fine saves in the space of a few minutes; first palming away Raphe Brown’s longrange shot, then diving full stretch to turn Tom Carlton low drive around the post. Following this by blocking Carlton’s volley from point blank range.

Faversham started the second period much stronger, forcing Bay to defend deep but it was Cornwell who nearly broke the deadlock but his shot was deflected over the bar but it was the hosts who opened the scoring in the 61st minute; Bradley Schafer bringing down Ashley Miller and Stokes pointing immediately to the spot. Miller converted the spot kick beating, debutant keeper, Louie Catherall, who guessed the right way, in off the inside of the post.

This penalty decision seemed to put life back into Bay and the flowing football started to return. Five minutes later they were back in the game, Connor Cox striking a low volley through a packed defence giving Overland no chance. Faversham made three substitutions bringing on Renford Tenuye, Dean Grant and Danny Walder and this seemed to give them a second wind. Shortly after this Nick Reeves was substituted after suffering what appeared to be a serious injury, replaced by James White. Darnell Weise replaced Connor Wilkins as Bay tried to strengthen their defensive line.

Catherall who had not been troubled throughout the game suddenly had to show why he is on Gillingham’s books as he pulled off three very good saves in the space of a strong Faversham five minute spell. His best coming when he saved with his legs thwarting Grant when it looked certain he would score.

Bay had one good chance to win the game when Jake Embery got the better of Cook but Cook managed to get back to take the sting out of Embery’s shot leaving Overland to make an easy save.

Bay’s manager felt this was a case of two points dropped rather than one point won but at the end of the day we remain unbeaten after the opening fixture.

Herne Bay: Louie Catherall, Connor Cox, Raphe Brown, Nick Reeves, Matt Fry, Bradley Schafer, Danny Leonard, Tom Carlton, Jake Embery, Miles Cornwell,

Subs used: James White (Reeves 70) Darnell Weise (Wilkins 78)

Subs not used: Ryan Kingsford

Att: 310