Sittingbourne started the game in determined fashion and TT Walters was fouled in the 7th minute, resulting in Cory Walters-Wright being booked for a reckless challenge. A minute later, Lawrence Harvey had to leave the pitch to get a head wound bandaged up after a clash when heading a Herne Bay corner.

Bay took a 21st minute lead through a Zak Ansah penalty after Keiron Campbell was fouled and then had to protected keeper George Kamurasi who played on from the 24th to 39th minute after suffering a dislocated shoulder. Kamurasi was replaced in goal by captain Lawrence Harvey who went on to be chosen as Player of the Match by our matchday sponsors MRDFS. Ryan Cooper moved across into the centre back role alongside Dan Carrington, with Dan Lawrence seeing out the half at right back.

Antony Edgar and Ansah linked up well in the 45th minute to create a half chance, but Edgar’s shot was over the bar, and the ball split at the same time.

So, Bay went into the break 1-0 ahead.

In the 58th minute Sittingbourne had a great chance to level the scores when Carrington dived to block a shot on the goal line the ball struck hi arm, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot and sent off Carrington. However, Harvey dived to his left to save comfortably bringing relief to the ten-man Bay but also being forced into more positional changes.

In the 78h minute Bay’s Anthony Edgar was pulled back in the box, and Bay rewarded with a second penalty. Ansah stepped up again to take the penalty and gave Bay a 2-0 lead.

In the 82nd minute Simon Kabamba’s attacking run from the halfway line was met by a challenge and further claims for a penalty, but Kabamba kept his balance after the challenge and play continued.

In a frenetic finish Bay Ansah struck the post and Sittingbourne had a deflected shot come back off the crossbar. Bradley Stevenson, who has returned to Herne Bay, drove a powerful long-range shot, but Sittingbourne’s keeper was well positioned to save. Sittingbourne then won a free kick and on their right and the cross was met by Stephen Okoh who headed in to make it 2-1 with 89 minutes on the clock.

Bay successfully played out the four minutes additional time to take all three points from a match which was particularly eventful but not a footballing classic.

Bay face a trip to Ashford United on Saturday 14th March and will be acting quickly to find a replacement for George Kamurasi, who we wish a speedy recovery from his shoulder injury.

HERNE BAY: Kamurasi , Cooper, Kabamba, Harvey, Carrington, Lawrence, Walters, Carlton, Ansah, Edgar, Campbell; SUBS: Lightfoot, Dawodu, Naiwo, Aikhionbare, Stevenson

21' Zak Ansah scores (pen)
39' Mobolaji Dawodu replaced George Kamurasi
57' Daniel Carrington sent off
71' Bradley Stevenson replaced Tushaun-Tyreese Walters
78' Zak Ansah scores (pen)
90' Samuel Naiwo replaced Keiron Campbell