? Herne Bay Line-Up
Starting XI: 1 Coleman, 2 Procopi, 3 Smith, 4 Christian-Law ©, 5 Friend, 6 Tyrie, 7 McFarlane, 8 Heard, 9 Bloomfield (17 Rogers 74’), 10 Brand, 11 Saunders (14 Wyborn 67’) Unused Subs: 12 Oliver, 15 Hillier, 16 Lartice
? Bookings: Saunders
?Red Card: Heard 45+2’
⭐️ Player of the Match: Joe Coleman
Referee: Harry Wood
________________________________________
? Summary
Bay had to work extremely hard to earn a point away from home against Broadbridge Heath after being reduced to ten men when Scott Heard was dismissed before half-time for two reckless challenges.

Goalkeeper Joe Coleman had an outstanding second half but the whole team showed that they can battle to earn points when things are not in their favour. It was a pleasant change from last season when we too often crumbled when under pressure.
________________________________________
⚔️ First Half: 0-0
The rearranged game, brought forward from October gave both sides opportunity to build on impressive results in their previous games – Broadbridge Heath beat Crowborough 5-1 and Herne Bay beat Sheppey United 4-2. Louie Procopi and Monty Saunders were called up to the starting line-up for Herne Bay.

A strong cross field wind and fast tempo may have affected the quality of play early on, with little created to test either goalkeeper. Bay fans we anticipating more when Joe Tyrie won the ball with a strong challenge and hit a lovely long pass out to Kamani McFarlane, but the Broadbridge defender stuck to his task and prevented a shot.

Broadbridge grew into the game and Procopi needed to intercept at the far post to concede a corner to prevent an oncoming attacker getting in around the back. Procopi then crossed to Alfie Bloomfield, who connected well with a header but keeper Hadfield caught under his crossbar.

Bay’s best chance came in the 25th minute. Monty Saunders long clearance was miscontrolled by Lowery allowing McFarlane to run on, and was unlucky to see his shot strike the right post after beating the keeper.

Broadbridge Heath had to wait until the 39th minute for their serious chance when Joe Coleman was quick to come off his line and Peter’s shot at close range.

Frustrations surfaced towards the end of the first half – Saunders was pulled down from behind earning a yellow card for Terry. The free kick into the box by Tyler Christian-Law was punched away by Hadfield, and when returned into the box it was flicked on to Heard who made contact with the keeper as he came off his line to collect. From that free-kick the ball was free in midfield and Heard and a Broadbridge player both went for it, and Heard was adjudged to have been late, and was shown a 2nd yellow and dismissed.

It was the last event of the half, so Bay faced 45 minutes with ten men.
________________________________________
⚡️ Second Half: 0-0
Bay’s defence came severely under pressure most of the second half, but we did have a handful of breakaway chances. Coleman had to make a series of saves early on and most involved Broadbridge substitute Syzmon Kowalczyk. Coleman saved two shots from him and a low driven cross had to be cleanly handled with attackers waiting to pounce.

For Bay, in the 61st minute, when McFarlane was fouled on the edge of the box after dribbling from his own half, many thought that was going to level the sides at ten apiece, but the referee saw a covering player. Nothing came of the free kick.

Liam Friend and Procopi made brave blocks as our defence held strong, and Coleman was on hand when the line was breached. McFarlane took away some of the pressure when ever he got the ball, and Bloomfield was leading the line defending from the front.

James Rogers was brought on to add a man in midfield instead of Bloomfield, and Bay’s had a half chance when Harvey Brand broke free and when a defender closed in from behind her tried to lob the keeper, but didn’t quite do it.

However, the defence held strong to see out the rest of the half, and take a point away from home.

? Upcoming Fixtures
• Tuesday 19th August, 19:45 - Sheppey United (Home- Kent Senior Cup)
• Saturday 23rd August, 15:00 – Erith Town (Away – Isthmian SE)
• Monday 26th August, 15:00 – Deal Town (Home – Isthmian SE)
________________________________________