Herne Bay: George Kamurasi, Ryan Cooper, Laurence Harvey, Dan Johnson, Danny Lawrence, Tushaun-Tyreese Walters, Zak Ansah, Dean Grant, Mobolaji Dawodu, Bradley Stevenson.
Subs Used: Jordan Hibbert (Stevenson 65) Tyler Stirling (Lawrence 65)
Subs Not Used: Tom Carlton, Kyron Lightfoot, Callum Adonis Taylor

The opening, 20-minute dominant spell, put Chichester in the driving seat for the rest of the game. Two very well taken goals; both from free-kicks, gave Bay an uphill fight, against a very resolute Chichester City, for the rest of the game.

Bay started slowly and Chichester took full advantage of this by pressing high, in numbers. This pressure paid off when a challenge, just outside the area, led to a free-kick, from which Gicu Iordache struck a fierce volley, past the defensive wall, leaving George a hopeless spectator, as the ball struck the back of the net.

The visitors now riding high on confidence, following this early success, pushed forward. From another free-kick, this time 30 yards out on the other side of the pitch, Josh Clack floated in a brilliant cross into the box, where Emmett Dunn, rose above the defence to nod home, inside the near post.

Bay only started to get into the game after 30 minutes play. A good piece of play down the right saw DL free to send a cross into the box, but no Bay forward was near enough to put in a goal attempt. A minute later Deano broke through the defensive line, only to have his low drive smash against the body of the on-rushing keeper, Steve Mowthorpe.

Bay were not to be denied though. With two minutes left before the break, a flowing move down the right ended as Ryan Cooper, pulled the ball back to Zak, standing unmarked in the area and he made no mistake drilling the ball into the bottom corner; bringing Bay back into the game.

Bay had more of the play in the second period, but Chichester always looked dangerous on the break. For all their dominance in the half, Mowthorpe was never really threatened until the 80th minute. Deano was adjudged to have been pulled down in the box and a penalty awarded.

Unfortunately, the normally reliable, Zak struck the spot-kick low to the keeper’s left, but too close to him, allowing Mowthorpe to push the ball away with a strong left hand.
Bay had another good shout for a penalty five minutes later; this time waved away by the referee. Despite the pressure applied by Bay, Chichester defended resolutely and successfully held on to secure the points.

Match report by John Bathurst