Herne Bay played their first Kent Walking Football League match of the season when they travelled to Kings Hill on Monday evening, writes Ron Boddy.

The opening was very even with both sides having their share of the play. The first serious shot on goal came after 3 minutes from Steve Nolan with a long shot that went close. After 7 minutes Bob Thompson was forced to leave the pitch with a re-occurence of a leg strain. His place was taken by Steve Snell. After 8 minutes the first goal came and it went to Kings Hill when Peter McCarthy scored with a snap shot. Within a couple of minutes Herne Bay were back on terms when a good move ended with Neil Davey beating the Kings Hill goalkeeper. The rest of the first half continued with neither side really having a clear opportunity on goal.

The second half was nothing to write home about with both sides unable to make any clear chances to score, and the frustrations being felt made for some ill-tempered moments from both sides. Clive Parker came on for Steve Snell for Herne Bay. A goal did finally come in the last moment when a hopeful long shot from Steve Nolan was mishandled by the Kings Hill goalkeeper, and ended up slipping through into the net. Not one of Herne Bay's better performances, and they will have to be better this coming Sunday in the Nationals All England Final at Cirencester in Gloucestershire.

Team: Dave Petts, Harry Roberts, Bob Thompson, Neil Brown, Steve Nolan, Neil Davey

Subs Steve Snell, Clive Parker.