Herne Bay suffered a humiliating 4-0 home thrashing at the hands of lowly Walton Casuals, in truth Bay were out played and out thought by a speedy Casuals team on a sticky Winch's Field. Basically the visitors played the conditions perfectly and were worthy victors.

Even before the kick off eyebrows were raised when Manager, Simon Halsey elected to play with one forward against a side with one of the worst defensive records in the League. After taking 7 points out of the last 9 on offer,Byron Walker was left warming the bench.

Walton Casuals took the game to Herne Bay, attacking down both flanks straight from the kick off with James McShane and Greg Andrews giving a ready supply of crosses for the very quick Sol Patterson-Bohner to chase.

As early as the 2nd minute Casual's Mu Mann got behind the defence but fired high over the bar.This should have been a wake up call for Bay's defenders but on 6 minutes Patterson-Bohner was played in by Mat York down the left and his cross, come shot caught out keeper Rob
French, who could only palm the ball into the back of the net.

Casuals continued to put press home their advantage.and Patterson-Bohner tested French again; this time French made no mistake, collecting the forward's low drive.

Billy Bennett had a great chance to level the scores, going one on one with the Casuals keeper, Gareth Williams but the keeper spread himself well to clear the ball with his legs. In the 24th minute French again thwarted Patterson-Bohner but he could do nothing to prevent the lively forward increasing the lead when James McShane, was left totally unmarked on the right flank and his cross found Patterson-Bohner who ran through to slam in his and Walton's second goal.

Herne Bay surged forward in search of a goal but Tunji Agbajae and Nathan Eastwood were thwarted by good saves from Gareth Williams and the clever defending of Craig Lewington. Williams pulled off an incredible point blank save following a goalmouth scramble, Dan Wisker pushed a shot towards the goal from one yard out but Williams
somehow got down to turn the ball away for a corner. If this had gone in it may well have been a different story.

Tom Bryant pulled up with an injury and was replaced by Joe Nelder.

On the half hour mark, Walton Casuals should have gone three up after Mann raced through a static Bay defence before firing over from 6 yards.
Minutes later Casuals did scored their third when Mann fired in a good shot that French did well to block. The ball fell to Greg Andrews who tapped in from close range.

Walker came on for Bennett at the start of the second half, and this gave the gave Bay more impertus up front. On 50 minutes Sam Bewick was booked after a late tackle on Mann and a fracas broke out. Wisker and Eastwood were also booked. Mann can consider himself very lucky to escape a booking after he aggressively pushed Bewick in retaliation.

Casuals brought on Kwabena Agyii for Harry Hoadley and with his first touch he brilliantly lobbed French from 25 yards to extend the lead.

Rhys Lawson was replaced by James Turner. Further chance fell to Bay but on the day they just didn't look like scoring. Then with time running out Wisker again became embroiled in a fracas and was booked again. An early bath with 5 minutes left on the clock.

This was a very poor display from Herne Bay probably the worst of the season and so disappointing after the performance in the last three matches.

Att: 216

Team: French Sayer Bryant McGeehan Campbell Bewick Eastwood Bennett Agbajae Wisker Lawson
Subs used: Nelder (Bryant 34 mins) Walker (Bennett 46 mins) J.Turner (Lawson 68 mins)

Subs not used: M.Turner Lloyd