With Byron Walker sadly out of touch, Rhys Lawson and Nathan Eastwood both had chances to win this match for Herne Bay,but both squandering their final efforts.
Chipstead set the early pace, on a very heavy Winch's Field,with Joe Nwoko and Shane Graham testing Bay's back four. As early as the 3rd minute Nwoko out stripped Calum McGeehan to go one-on-one with Dan Eason but he shot wide of the target. Four minutes later Sam Robinson floated over a corner but this was headed over from 5 yards.

Herne Bay struggled to get on terms with the pace of the visitor's front men and were left to attack on the counter. From one of these after 10 minutes Aaron Millbank provided a superb cross, finding Eastwood in acres of space, but his shot from 15 yards went high and wide over the bar. Two minutes later Lawson crossed from the left but this time Eastwood got the ball on target but straight at keeper Martin Grant.

On 16 minutes a shot from distance by Jason Henry almost caught out the Bay defence but Eason palmed the ball over the bar. From the resulting corner, Graham shot straight into Eason's arms. Eason threw a long ball to Millbank who ran through the Chipstead defence and forced Grant to save well.

Bay's best chance fell to Lawson, in the 25th minute, when McGeehan played a good ball through to Eastwood who a hit a low drive across the face of the goal. Lawson with the goal at his mercy ,miss kicked and the ball trickled wide for a goal kick.
Chipstead continually forced the pace and on the half hour Steven Lloyd headed of the line a Robinson corner.Herne Bay started to get back into the game and on 35 minutes only a great save from Grant prevented a venomous shot from Millbank from crossing the line, palming his shot around the post.

Two further chances, at both ends, followed in the 39/40 minutes . First for Chipstead when Graham crossed for Henry but he headed wide from close range and secondly for Bay a corner from Gary Sayer was headed over by Dan Wisker.

Bay were undone in the 43rd minute when McGeehan slipped under pressure from the speedy Robinson, leaving him free on goal and he duly drove the ball past Eason into the bottom corner.

Herne Bay started the second half with Walker and Lawson both going close and with only three minutes into the half Walker should have equalised, heading Millbank's cross wide of the target.
On the 56thminute a great run from Sam Bewick, followed by a deep cross to Millbank but his header was again superbly saved by Grant.

Walker and Eastwood were replaced by James Turner and Dean Grant.Eason prevented Chipstead going further in front in the 67th minute when he saved a stinging shot from Henry. A minute later Turner should have levelled the score after getting on to a cross from Lawson,but he shot straight into the arms of Grant. Billy Bennett replaced Dan Wisker as Bay chased for the equalizing goal.

Further chances fell to visitors; Henry fired wide from 10 yards and Joe Nwoko also fluffed in front of goal. For the last 15 minutes, Bay piled on the pressure but Grant was having a great day between the sticks for the visitors.

Bay could not be faulted for effort but on the day lady luck totally deserted them. This often happens when things are not going well but if the work rate and effort is maintained in future games the goals will come and hopefully the victories and points.

Att: 190

Team: Eason, Sayer, Nelder, McGeehan, Lloyd, Wisker, Eastwood, Bewick, Walker, Millbank, Lawson
Subs: J Turner( Eastwood 62mins) Grant (Walker 62 mins) Bennett (Wisker 70mins) ,
Not used: M Turner, Campbell,