"Toby was excellent, he's made some world class saves there to keep us in it, tipping them round the post, putting them onto the crossbar", said Herne Bay manager Sam Denly of debutant custodian Toby Wood, "an outstanding performance coming in and I'm really pleased for him".

With several players unavailable, Mark Lovell celebrated being given the captain's armband by heading Bay's opening goal and to ultimately record their first league win of the season as part of a four match unbeaten run in all competitions. Denly was forced into bringing in a number of players and all excelled, none more so than 'keeper Toby Wood who produced a string of high quality saves and was a finger tip away from denying Clayton's penalty. Sam Hasler wrapped up the points with a trade mark free kick to send the faithful home happy and with expectations for the season simmering on the high side of high.

Ray Kelly writes: Although Herne Bay won this encounter 2-1 against a tough Whyteleafe, they were indebted to teenage
goalkeeper Toby Wood who pulled off a string of fantastic saves to secure all three points. With several key players missing Herne Bay started the game off brightly, playing some superb football, with Adam Woolcott instrumental in mid-field . It was no surprise that Bay took the lead in the 11th.minute when a good cross from Danny Williams found Mark Lovell unmarked and in acres of space . Mark headed a looping header over Luke Colquhoun in the ‘Leafe’ goal to put the Bay 1-0 up.

Herne Bay continued to push forward and on 15 minutes only a good save from Colquhoun prevented Sam Hasler from going on the score sheet, following an in swinging corner. Whyteleafe started to get into the game with Sam Clayton and Adam Thompson both testing the Bay defence, but could not find a way past the Bay back four, well organised by Connor Sanders. On 35 minutes Toby Wood beat out a stinging free kick from Bentley Graham. Herne Bay continued to push forward with Stuart Zanone, Adam Woolcott and Sam Hasler all going close but were nearly undone in the 44th minute when Roscoe D’Sane burst through the Bay defence but blasted his effort well over the top.

Whyteleafe started the second half ‘on the up’ and on 50 minutes a rasping shot from Karl Parker slammed against the Bay cross bar. This action woke the Bay up a tad and on 56 minutes they increased the lead when a free kick, 30yds out was dispatched with venom by Sam Hasler, the ball flew into the net. Back came Whyteleafe and within 3 minutes they reduced the arrears when Referee Peter Cruise awarded a penalty to the ‘Leafe’ after a late tackle by Joe Kennett. Sam Clayton squeezed the ball past Toby Wood.

‘Leafe’ pushed forward looking for an equaliser but they found that Toby Wood was in great form making superb saves to thwart Moses Ashikodo and Ryan Fowler but he saved the best to last, a brilliant double save in the last minute secured the points for Herne Bay.

Toby Wood ,Joe Kennett and M.O.M. Adam Woolcott in for Jack Delo, Liam Quinn and Danny Walder proved that the Bay have strength in depth and that bodes well for the season.

"Three games, two draws and a win in the league and that reads good for me", said Denly, "it was imperative we got the result today, we had a few players missing but the players who came in were outstanding, they've stuck their arm in the air for a shirt. Adam Woolcott got man of the match, deservedly so, they've all given me a headache for Monday which is a good problem to have. We've got strength in depth this year. I saw a lot of character in my players today".

Herne Bay: Toby Wood, Michael Turner, Adam Woolcott, Kenny Sanders, Joe Kennett, Connor Sanders, Joe Nelder, Danny Williams (Giorgio Russo 86), Mark Lovell (James Turner 82), Stuart Zanone (Sam Hallett 68), Sam Hasler.

Subs Unused: Kobina Bernasko, Joshua Wood.

HBFCSA Man of the Match: Adam Woolcott.

Match details

Match date

Sat 27 Aug 2016

Kickoff

15:30

Attendance

191

Competition

South Division

League position

Herne Bay

Whyteleafe

Team overview

Bay turn over Leafe