Herne Bay: Harry Brooks, Sam German, Tom Hanfrey (Frankie Smith 67), Harrison Pont, Liam Friend, Daniel Carrington (Jack Richards 90), Gil Carvalho, Mo Kamara, Michael Salako, Bola Dawodu, Theo Osinfolarin.

Goalscorers: Salako (16), Carvalho (18), Hanfrey (57)
Yellow cards: Hanfrey, Carrington, Pont.

It was good to get back to Saturday action, Bay were unbeaten at the weekend (three wins and two draws) and their two defeats had come on a Bank Holiday and in mid-week. Lancing faced only their second league game on their travels this season. Lukas Frazen-Jones had scored six goals (two league, four cup) in the last five matches and would be the man to watch.

Lancing came to town playing some pretty football but all too often lost possession with Bay’s defence snubbing out any threat and Harry Brooks in the home goal being a virtual spectator. Man of the Match Sam German shot from distance in the 16th minute and Mike Salako was on hand to deflect it past Alieu Secka between the sticks for the visitors.

Not wishing to miss out on the leading goalscorer title, Gil Carvalho, picked up a loose ball and rounded Secka two minutes later and after being forced wide, slid the ball into the net.

It looked all too easy for Bay but with the half-time oranges looming there was a rare defensive mix-up and Charlie Bennett played the ball past Brooks to give Frazen-Jones the easiest goal he will score all season.

Second half and Lancing came out fired up, but so did Bay. Frazen-Jones gave Brooks an easy save and a Theo Osinfolarin free-kick found German but his shot went past the post. 12 minutes into the second period Osinfolarin found space down the right-hand side, he cut inside and his low cross was met by Tom Hanfrey at the far lost and he netted his first goal for Herne Bay.

Just after the hour mark Dan Carrington was unfortunate to be judged to handle the ball when it looked more likely that during a challenge the ball had struck his hand. Lancing captain Alex Laing, formerly of Haywards Heath Town, Whitehawk, South Park, Horsham, Burgess Hill Town, Three Bridges, Worthing, Littlehampton Town, Shoreham, Eastbourne United and AFC Uckfield Town, was the man chosen to take the free-kick and after an over-elaborate build-up, struck the cross bar.

In just 14 Herne Bay games referee Billy Woods had been allocated to officiate three times and it could be said that he was inconsistent with his decisions, Laing certainly thought so and berated all three officials with words that the younger members of the crowd should not need to hear. Woods booked seven players, including Laing.

Mo Kamara, Harrison Pont and Frankie Smith all had half-chances to increase Bay’s lead and indeed Herne Bay were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Carvalho was pushed in the back in the penalty area but the free-kick was given just outside the box.

The three points were well-deserved and Bay stayed in fourth place with a feeling that there was plenty more to come from Steve Lovell’s side.