Herne Bay were soundly thrashed, 4-1, at home to a Worthing side that belied their lowly position. Worthing completely out-played Herne Bay on a heavy Winch's Field pitch.

Bay lacked any sort of cohesion and seemed incapable of putting two passes together throughout the afternoon.

It all started so well for Herne Bay; scoring after only 30 seconds when Rhys Lawson raced down the left before crossing to James Turner who in turn eluded Worthing’s full back, Jack Williamson and slipped the ball past keeper, Jaime Banasco- Zaragoza.

A minute later Turner should have doubled the lead when a carbon copy of the earlier move resulted in him firing wide.

From that moment on Worthing took control of the game, constantly attacking down both flanks with Chris.O'flaherty, Jamie Brotherton and Scott Kirkwood running Bay’s defence ragged and it was no surprise that Worthing equalised in the 19th minute.

Tom Bryant bringing down Brotherton in the area and Referee Saul Kay had no option but to award a penalty. Up stepped Scott Kirkwood to slam home past Dan Eason to level the score. Three minutes later Worthing were in front when O'flaherty squirmed his way through a static defence before squaring Kirkwood who smashed the ball past Eason.

For the rest of the half Worthing were in total control, dominating mid-field and Keeping Bay pinned in their own half.

Herne Bay replied with the occasional counter attack but lacked the fire power to penetrate the visitor’s defence. At the other end Eason was in constant action ,saving from Brotherton and Kirkwood in the 31st and 35th minute. Somehow Bay held out preventing Worthing from adding to their lead before half time.

Hopes for an improvement to Bays play in second half were soon dashed with Worthing playing really good football that made Bay look second best.

On 50 minutes Eason tipped over a high lob from Tom Lawler after some great approach work from Matt Daniel. Five minutes later , on a rare counter attack Lawson shrugged off his marker and crossed a good ball to Turner but he could not get a touch on it in front of goal.

In the 60th minute Dean Grant replaced Nathan Eastwood in an effort to inject some pace into Herne Bay's game. A minute later Worthing went 3-1 up when Jamie Brotherton raced down the right flank and fired in a cross, that flew on the wind eluding Eason, as the ball ended up in the top right hand corner of the goal.

There was more woe for the Bay in the 72nd minute when O'Flaherty put the result beyond doubt as he ended a six pass move, bursting through a static Bay defence before firing across Eason into the far corner.
Dan Williams came on for Steven Lloyd and shortly after Joe Nelder replaced Tunji Agbajae.

Bay were given a lifeline in the 80th minute when a penalty was awarded when Williamson handled in the box but Dan Wisker’s weak shot was easily saved by Zaragoza. This summed up Bay’s performance.
A first class performance from Worthing on a very difficult surface fully deserving ther victory today.

Att: 176

Team: Eason, Sayer, Bryant, McGeehan, Lloyd, Sergeant , Eastwood, Wisker, J Turner, Agbajae, Lawson
Subs used: Grant (Eastwood 62 mins) Williams (Lloyd 73mins) Nelder (Agbajae 80 mins)
Not used: J Turner, Campbell

MOM: Dan Eason