In a very even contest the hosts Thamesmead Town, came out victors thanks to a Richard Avery headed goal in the 92nd minute.

The game was looking all set to give Herne Bay their first draw of the season but ‘mead threw everything at Bay in the closing minutes and from a corner Avery was first to meet the cross at the near post and his angled header flew across Ben Hunter into the bottom corner.

Thamesmead had probably the better of the first half, although Bay started very positively , playing the longer ball forward rather than bringing it out from the back; a tactic that probably surprised ‘meads manager Tommy Warilow.

Both keepers were called on to produce some wonderful saves which kept the game level, although they also had their fair share of good fortune. Bay were unlucky not to take the lead when Bradley Schafer’s volley from outside the area hit ricocheted off the post , hitting the keeper in the back and going safe for a corner. Hunter made a couple of his, now expected, good saves late in the half but could not stop Laurent Mendy’s fine volley in the 41st minute to give Thamesmead the first half lead.

Bay started the second half and reverted back to their normal quick passing game , using the speed of Nassim Dukali and Alex Mulrooney-Skinner down the flanks and this paid dividends after only 5 minutes from the restart when Alex delivered a superb cross in to box from which Jake Embery nipped in from of Carey to nod the ball into the bottom corner.

The game continued to flow end to end and if Herne Bay were guilty of anything it was their inability to keep possession and the lack of winning headers when the ball was pumped up to the mead forwards.

Bay thought they would take the lead when Tom Carlton smashed a thunderbolt of a shot from the right side, which was heading for the top corner of the goal but a great reaction save from Carey deflected the ball just wide of the goal for a corner. Every Bay supporter stood up believing it was a wonder goal but had to applaud the save from Carey.

Overall a good performance and a draw would have probably been the fairer result but in football it never is fair!

Herne Bay: Ben Hunter, Bradley Schafer, Josh Wisson, Jack Steventon, Jono Richardson, Danny Leonard,
Alex Mulrooney-Skinner, Tom Carlton, Jake Embery, Jarred Trespaderne Nassim Dukali

Subs Used: Connor Cox (Trespaderne 46) Raphe Brown (Schafer 46)

Subs not used: Jardel Bunda-Kamara Ryan Catmull Danny Rumbol