Herne Bay: Jordan Perrin, Ryan Cooper, Jack Parter , Laurence Harvey, Dan Johnson, Bode Anidugbe, JJ Naiwo, Hamilton Antonio, Zak Ansah, Aaron Millbank, Kieron Campbell
Subs Used: Tom Phipp, (Millbank 76) Adem Ramadan (Campbell 68)
Subs Not Used: Reion McFarlane, Dan Carrington, Chinedu McKenzie

As with last week, the hosts threw everything at us in the first quarter of this game, but another dominant second half gave Bay the victory, at the same time inflicting Heath’s first loss, in this seasons’ league campaign. For all their early dominance, only two shots on target for the whole game.

The Heathens had the first attack, but Jordan Perrin smothered the effort as the forward overran the ball in the box. Aaron Millbank linked up with Zak Ansah, with Ansah‘s fierce volley pushed over the bar by keeper, Billy Collins. A good 10-minute spell from Heath, with three-goal efforts going wide or high over the bar. Back came Bay with good link-up play between Kieron Campbell and Jack Parter resulting in Parter’s shot fizzing across the face of the goal. Jerson Dos Santos should have put the hosts ahead when, after nutmegging Parter, he raced into the box, only to blast the ball over the bar from 6 yards out.

Another good spell for Bay saw Millbank drag his effort wide of the upright; Parter’s fierce goal-bound low drive, deflected for a corner and JJ Naiwo volleying straight at the keeper. Dos Santos had the final effort of the half, but again he blasted his effort over the bar.
The second half was all Bay. Campbell puts Millbank through fires a low drive straight at Collins. Ansah drawing a good save. JJ shoots from the edge of the box. Ansah shoots over the bar after a good build-up play by Parter and Millbank.

Adem Ramadam replaces Campbell.

Heathens produce their best attack of the half; Luke Robinson forcing Perrin in a fine stop at his near post. A quick counterattack sees Bode Anidugbe racing into the box but overrunning the ball, which allowed Collins to collect and punt the ball downfield, for Robinson again forcing Perrin to save.

Then the goal wins the game. Ansah passes out to Ramadan, racing down the left flank. His cross into the box finds full-back Ryan Cooper, completely unmarked, to head the ball wide of the Collins to the delight of the whole squad. On the balance of play, fully deserved.
With 15 minutes left on the clock, Bay continued to press forward. JJ puts Parter through, but Collins smothers. Millbank shoots from 30 yards straight into the keeper’s arms.

No further goals came but Bay was never troubled. The meanest defence in the league holding on to take the points.

Great shift from Aaron Millbank today, lost count of the number of times he was fouled by Heath’s Centre back, but he never wavered from his task.