The opening stages of this game against 3rd placed Sheppey United gave Herne Bay’s largest home league crowd of the season encouragement. Bay put Friday’s new signing - goalkeeper Sam Freeman into the starting lineup. Jack Parter had recovered from injury and Kane Rowland both started too.

The Sheppey United side included several former Herne Bay players and in the 1st minute one of them, Gil Carvalho fired over the bar from a narrowing angle.

After that early chance, Bay had the most of the early possession, and in the 5th minute, a lengthy pass from Mo Kamara into Frankie Smith’s stride down Herne Bay’s left wing, allowed him to to shoot just wide of the Sheppey’s far post.

Sheppey’s keeper Aidan Prall came under pressure from Mike Salako when taking too long on the ball outside the box and Salako’s block was then mis-controlled by Prall and fell nicely for Kane Haysman. With Bay players in the box and waiting for the cross, Sheppey’s Mamadou Diallo did well to recover the ball off Haysman.

When Frankie Smith was down injured Skye Salmon’s interception prevented a clear chance for Sheppey, and then Sheppey began to gain some attacking impetus. Carvalho laid back to Jordy Ndozid but his shot was too wide to trouble Freeman, and after 17 minutes, Bay lost possession carelessly and Rhys Wyborn struck a left-foot shot wide from outside the box.

The opening goal for Sheppey soon followed a minute later. With no obvious danger, Danny Leonard unleashed a 30-yard shot that caught Freeman out of position and he was unable to get close enough to stop it going in at the far post.

Sheppey doubled their lead in the 24th minute. Again, starting from keeper Prall, Jacob Lambert turned and passed to Wyborn on his left touchline. He crossed low to James Taylor, who arrived in the box to place the ball home from 10 yards out.

The centre-back duo from Sheppey were proving hard to beat and Prall pulled off a superb reaction save from Rowland when he did not know the linesman had his flag up for offside.

Bay tried to get back into the game – Frankie Smith was replaced by Joshua Reid and their formation was changed. Salako struck the crossbar with a header after some pressure from Bay. Parter won the ball in a strong challenge, he passed to Kamara who in turn crossed for Salako. Salako beat the keeper, but the header was slightly too high.

So at half-time Sheppey was 2-0 ahead in goals but possession and goal chances were equally shared and the next goal was going to be critical.

Bay had chances to get that goal – a snapshot from Ethan Smith was wide, a long pass from Salmon found Salako at the far post who tried to place the ball home, but it was saved by Prall for a corner.

Bay then saw a header from Rowland cleared off the line into the arms of the keeper from a corner. Kamara then did everything right as he powered into the box, but unfortunately, a tame shot was easily saved.

So it was disappointing when it was Sheppey scored that important goal from a penalty kick in the 60th minute. Salmon was adjudged to have fouled when most considered it was him that had been fouled and he was also booked for arguing. When Sheppey took the free-kick Parter was penalised for pushing and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Before the kick was taken after a delay, the referee booked Freeman. Carvalho took the kick, and it looked like Freeman had saved it, but somehow the ball crept in for 0-3.

Minutes later, Bay substitute Alfie Hill was penalised for tripping Leonard after he had played the ball and another penalty was awarded. This one, by Victor Aiyelabola, though was well saved by Freeman.

Parter saw his shot also cleared off the goalline before Dan Bradshaw evaded defenders to header Sheppey’s 4th goal in the 84th minute.

The score may have flattered Sheppey, but they were defensively better on the day and prevented Bay from scoring at home for the first time in 10 home games.

Herne Bay; Freeman, Parter, F Smith (Reid 36), Carrington, Salmon, Kamara (Hill 66), Heard, E Smith, Salako (Saunders 68), Haysman, Rowland (Kuchkov 78).
Subs Unused; Hillier
Yellow Cards; Salmon (60), Freeman (68), Hill (68)

NOTE Next Fixture: Tuesday 29th October, at home to Margate (Kent Senior Cup) 19:45

NOTE Bay's home game with Sittingbourne (16/11/24) will be rearranged due to their FA Trophy win at Dover.