Three Bridges V Herne Bay - Ryman League

Herne Bay came away from Jubilee Field, home of Three Bridges FC, with a solid 3-0 victory, that lifts them into third place in the League.

Bay were very good value for the win with an all round team performance.
For the first 20 minutes both teams attacked and created chances at both ends. As early as the 3rd minute Rhys Lawson tested Three Bridges keeper, Simon Lehkyj with a low drive and a minute later Lawson saw another effort shave the post.

Four minutes later Three Bridges captain Ellis Hooper fired in from long range just wide of Dan Eason's right hand post, a minute later Abu Touray should have been on target but fired high and wide from 10 yards.
On 14 minutes Michael Turner was left winded following a clumsy tackle from Tim Rivers and despite trying to play on was replaced by Dean Grant.

Herne Bay went ahead in the 22nd minute when Dan Wisker placed a great ball through Three Bridges defence allowing Lawson to outpace his marker before placing his shot wide of the keeper.

Three Bridges tried their best to draw level but found the Bay’s back four impregnable with Steven Lloyd and Calum McGeehan in superb form.
Eason was brought into action when he saved superbly from Touray after a mazy run and shot. Bay increased their lead on the half hour. Grant received the ball on the right, took a couple of touches before firing in a speculative shot from 25 yards that Lehkyj failed to hold, allowing the ball to roll over the line. James Turner also went close minutes later but this time Lehkyi saved well.

Three Bridges enjoyed a good pressure on the Bay’s defence for the closing 10 minutes of the half and Marcus Elliot should have done better but he fired his shot straight at Eason from 10 yards in the closing minutes.

The second half saw Three Bridges continue to press, probably following a stern half time talk. On 53 minutes Leon Dussard’ s free kick was cleared off the line by Lloyd and three minutes later McGeehan followed suit. Bay hit straight back and increased their lead after Nathan Eastwood broke down a promising attack and sent a cross ball to Williams who placed the ball over the defensive line. James Turner was first to react, nicking the ball from the advancing keeping and placing a left foot shot into the bottom corner.

Herne Bay were now in full control and pushed to increase the scoreline. Lawson was unlucky to see his goal bound shot deflected for corner by Darren Carden, and from the corner Lloyd’s header was cleared off the line by Carden.

Andy Irvine replaced James Turner for the last 15 minutes James receiving a standing ovation once again for his non-stop work ethic. Three Bridges manager stating in the bar after the game that Turner and Williams ran their defence ragged.

Eason, who hadn’t had too much to do in the game produced a good diving save turning a Hooper thunderbolt around the post. He followed this by flicking the ball over the bar after McGeeham’s clearing header was deflected towards Bay goal.

This was the last real threat on Bay’s goal and after playing three minutes of stoppage time the whistle blew to ensure Bay tucked away three more points.

Att: 144

Team: Eason, Sayer, Bryant, Lloyd, McGeehan, Eastwood, M Turner, Wisker, J Turner, Williams, Lawson Subs used: Grant (M Turner 23 min) Irvine (J Turner 75 min) Sergeant (Eastwood 80 min)

Not used: Nelder, Agbajae

MOM: Rhys Lawson