What a magnificent team performance today with what looked on paper to be a much weakened side.

U23 player, Tahjae Anderson, led the front line along with Ronald Sobowale. A different midfield with Connor Wilkins, Bradley Schafer and Harry Miller. Callum Adonis-Taylor joined Ben Gorham, Danny Rumbol in the central defence, Raphe Brown, Alex Mulrooney-Skinner and Simon Overland in their usual positions.

The first half was pretty even but it was Bay who made the early breakthrough. Hesitation from Bridge’s central defender, unable to decide whether to head or pass back to his keeper, allowed Anderson to muscle the ball off him, leaving him free, to advance one on one with the keeper and he made no mistake from 8 yards.

Three Bridges had a couple of good chances to draw level; first Connor French and then Ibby Akanbi, both blasted high over the bar from close range. Overland pulls off a great save from Raphe Brown’s deflected header from a near post corner. Bay hit back a good with a ten minute spell of pressure but it was Bridge’s who drew level on the half hour as they pumped a long ball upfield, defending a Bay corner, which fell to an unmarked Akanbi. He ran at pace towards the goal before slotting it under Overland.

Back came Bay; A good cross from Sobowale was a little too fierce for Schafer to head as he raced into the area. French nearly grabbed the lead in the closing minutes of the half but a fingertip diving save by Overland pushed the ball wide of the target.

The second period was all Bay except for a five exerted effort from Bridges from the restart. Anderson shoots over the bar from a corner clearance and follows this up with a strong volley which the keeper couldn’t hold but Sobowale couldn’t reach the rebound before the defender cleared. Sobowale then goes on one of his solo runs, beating four defenders before smashing the ball past keeper James Shaw restoring Bay’s lead.

Three minutes later Anderson leaps the highest to head home Brown’s cross increasing their advantage. Bay were now fully in control with the midfield and defence linking well, denying Bridges forwards any opportunities to get back in the game. Miller made it 4-1, hitting a loose ball, which Bridges failed to clear from a corner, low inside the far post.

Anderson netted his third and Bays fifth, after another brilliant run from Sobowale allowed him to knock over the line from close range. Sobowale was fouled as he made his run in the box but the referee played the advantage and the goal stood.

A good convincing win which lifted Bay up, one place away from the relegation position and with 26 points level with three other clubs.

Herne Bay: Simon Overland, Alex Mulrooney-Skinner, Raphe Brown, Ben Gorham, Danny Rumbol,
Callum Adonis-Taylor, Bradley Schafer, Harry Miller, Tahjae Anderson, Ronald Sbowale, Connor Wilkins

Subs Used: Simon Kabamba (Mulrooney-Skinner 75) Victor Aiyelabola (Miller 86) Lewis Risk (Brown 89)

Subs not used: Matthew Hathaway

Att: 70