A frustrating battle between two sides at the wrong end of Ryman League Division One South and a result that in truth does little to help either…

Not even a double sending off in the 89th minute could help Herne Bay find a way through as rock bottom Three Bridges determined resisitance finally seemed to have buckled.

But in truth this was a game that neither side probably deserved to win, as the home side dismal record of not now scoring a home League goal for over six matches – a run that due to postponements now stretches back to the middle of November!

It was a strange night for Simon Halsey’s men as on the one hand, there’s the point earned as they look to secure their place in the Ryman League next season, but given the circumstances it really could and perhaps should have been all three especially when you consider that the visitors played for the first 21 minutes with central defender Moshood Olafunmishe in goal, as regular keeper Robert Woodford was delayed by an accident that shut the M2.

But for some reason, after a bright start when James Turner went close, the home side seemed to retreat into their shell upon Woodford’s arrival. The Bay so very nearly got that elusive goal and the start that the manager craved for on 14 minutes – Sam Bewick’s free kick was completely missed by Olafinmishe, but as Calum McGeehan headed back across goal, a lunging Turner just couldn’t get enough on the ball to turn it home at the near post.

With Byron Walker looking lively down the middle and with Billy Bennett and Rhys Lawson providing the support, it was the visitors who had the better the chances of a strange first half with Bay keeper Luke Prentice just about keeping his side level with a little help from some poor finishing. Prentice beat out Marcus Elliott’s drive before Tim Rivers skied the ball into the car park from the edge of the box with the goal at his mercy – Prentice produced a fine save to deny Elliott Roman and as he lay on the floor Rivers shot disappeared high over the bar.

Not that the home side didn’t have their chances too. Just five minutes after Woodford had come on he was nearly embarrassed by Bennett as he raced onto Turner’s through ball. As the keeper came out, the Bay midfielder kept his composure and coolly slotted the ball underneath the jumping keeper (who had anticipated a lob) only for the ball to roll agonisingly wide of the left post.

The second half carried on the same way… the home side had chances but it was the visitors who were guilty of missing the better ones.

Walker flashed a shot just wide as the half began; Lawson’s low drive was pushed round the corner before Bennett was horribly wide with a shot from Walker’s lay back whilst at the other end Marcus Elliott’s header sailed high over the bar; Roman’s downward header was brilliantly turned round the post by Prentice and substitute Robone McCrae pulled a shot horribly wide after a long Woodford kick had got the better of the home defence.

What was to prove to be the home sides best chance of the night arrived on 73 minutes. Walker played a delightful through ball for Lawson who raced clear only to be brilliantly denied by a great Woolford block on the very edge of his box. As the ball ran free towards Walker, the keeper reacted quickly and was able to scramble the ball away from the Herne Bay striker.

Moments later Three Bridges went even closer at the other end when Elliott skipped past sub Kyle Wisker before crashing the ball into Prentice’s cross bar with the keeper beaten. The bar was still shaking as the ball disappeared over the stand.

Sadly there was a disappointing end to the game as the visitors had first Yaw Boatang sent off (for a second booking following an ugly challenge on Lawson), and then Abu Touray saw red as a 12 man mellee developed with players from both sides. To be fair referee Maskell was left with little choice with either card, which really was a disappointing end to a disappointing evening. In the cold light of day however, the point leaves the Bay 12 points ahead of their visitors who now just have nine games left save their position in Ryman South.

HERNE BAY – Prentice, Eastwood (Wisker), Sayer, McGeehan, Campbell, Bewick, Turner, Bennett, Walker, Turner (Agbajae), Lawson (Grant)

Subs – Lloyd and Brown

THREE BRIDGES – Olafunmishe (Woodford), Boatang, Carden, Hyang, Hooper, O’Hara, Pearoux, Rivers (McCrae), Roman, Elliott, Touray

Subs – Kieron, Maxwell and BatesReferee – Gary Maskell

Assistants – Steve Perry and Mark Scott

Attendance – 130