Herne Bay travelled to the Saffrons, the home of Eastbourne Town on Bank Holiday Monday and came away with a well deserved three points. Bay were worthy winners following a superb second half display. Goals from George Landais, James Campbell and Andy Irvine in a 10 minute period of concerted Bay pressure paved the way for a second away win in a week.

Eastbourne started much brighter with wingers Richard Greenfield and Matt Crabb constantly threathening down both flanks and it was no surprise that they went ahead after only 7 minutes when Greenfield crossed for Danny Curd to rise above the rather static Bay defence and head in at the far post.

Bay started very slowly and were closed down far too easily by a very lively Town side, resulting in panic defending and loss of ball possession. The goal seemed to act as a spur giving Bay the impetus to go at the host’s defence.

On 16 minutes their first real chance fell to Irvine, despite being off balance. Managed to fire in a worthwhile shot but his effort flew over the bar. Four minutes later Irvine played in Rhys Lawson but again the shot, from an acute angle, flew over the bar.

In the 25th minute following a foul on Josh Sargeant, Tom Bryant's free kick found Campbell’s head but this effort was well saved by Sam Reed, diving low to his left.

The game was brought to a halt on the half hour when a bad clash of heads between Sargeant and Eastbourne's Max Geard resulting in Sergeant leaving the field with concussion; he was replaced by Tom Parker.

Parker fared no better, after only 5 minute's he left the field with a hamstring injury, and he was duly replaced by Nathan Eastwood.

Thankfully, Eastwood’s introduction brought some urgency to Bay’s play.
Eastbourne put on a late charge towards the end of the half with Steve Elliott and Crabb both going close before the half time whistle. Campbell came to the Bay's rescue by heading Curd’s effort off the line.
Whatever was said at half time we can only guess but it certainly worked wonders Herne Bay were a different team in the second half, fighting for the ball and taking the game to Eastbourne. On 51 minutes Irvine burst through and lobbed the advancing Reed only to see his effort go over the bar.

Bay were coming to grips with Eastbourne style of aggressive play, and started pressurizing Eastbourne’s defence; forcing several corners which came to no avail until Landais struck in the 65th minute. Receiving a ball, cleared out of defence, on the edge of the box he lashed home to level the scores.

Bay were now in the ascendency and 8 minutes later put themselves in front. A botched short corner led to a throw in from which Joe Nelder launched a flat trajectory ball deep into the penalty area. Eastbourne’s defence struggled to deal with the loose ball leaving Campbell to drill home from 6 yards.

Two minutes later Irvine made it 3-1 when he latched on to another Nelder throw to head home from close range, stunning the home crowd and bench alike.

The final 15 minutes were very much cut and thrust, withEastbourne forcing the pace to get back in the game and Bay hitting on the counter. With the referee indicating 4 minutes injury time Bay defended resolutely but Town pulled a goal back in the 3rd minute when Dan Eason could only palm away a cross that Crabb fired back past him, allowing Ben Billings to loop the ball back into the far corner. Fortunately there was no further time to play and Bay ran out 3-2 winners, which made the coach journey home a little more palatable.

Att: 231

Team: Eason, Nelder, Bryant, Campbell, Hanson, McGeeghan, Turner(M) Sargeant, Irvine, Landais, Lawson
Subs used: Parker (Sergeant 33 mins) Eastwood (Parker 38 mins) Grant (Landais 67 mins)

Subs not used: Turner J, Lloyd

Man of the match: Joe Nelder