A solo first half goal condemned Herne Bay to another narrow pre-season defeat, losing 1-0 to Chipstead as preparations for the coming season continue.

Ben Smith’s side had chances to take the lead early in the game, with both Kieron Campbell and Frankie Morgan firing just off target.

The hosts edged ahead midway through the first half when their number nine fired into the top corner from close range.

Opportunities to level the score came and went, with Zak Ansah firing wide from inside the Chipstead box before Rodney Adamon-Eruotor and Marcel Barrington were out of sync when on the attack midway through the second.

But despite applying plenty of pressure, a breakthrough wasn’t found as the Bay were handed their third pre-season defeat.

Smith’ side started the game well and looked to control the proceedings from the get-go. In the third minute, a great flowing team move saw the ball land at James Folkes’ feet on the wing, allowing him the chance to whip the ball into the box.

With several yellow shirts to aim for, the resulting cross had a little too much power on it and sailed just beyond the reach of a teammate.

It looked as though a goal was just a matter of time and in the eighth minute, the visitors came within a whisker of hitting the back of the net. A well-taken short corner rolled the way of Kieron Campbell but just as he pulled the trigger, the ball bobbled, with KC’s shot clearing the crossbar.

Approaching the 20th minute, the Bay were really knocking on the door as KC and Morgan linked up brilliantly down the left-hand side, handing the former Corinthian defender a chance on goal.

Inside the penalty area but under pressure from a defender, Frankie’s angled shot dribbled agonisingly wide of the bottom corner.

Herne Bay were made to pay for their missed opportunities when in the 21st minute, Chipstead edged their way in front when their number nine was gifted too much space to fire into the top corner from the centre of the box.

That goal seemed to galvanise the hosts as they looked to double their lead. On the half hour mark, their forward once again found himself in enough space to try his luck on goal, only to fire narrowly over from a tight angle.

Approaching half time, Ben Smith’s side had two golden opportunities to go into the break all square. In the 39th minute, Hamilton Antonio was played clean through on goal, with Zak Ansah in support but with the goal at his mercy, Antonio elected to square the ball to Zak, who subsequently fired wide.

Only a few moments later, Morgan delivered a beautiful cross into the Chipstead box, finding Rory Smith in space, but the ball cannoned off Smith’s knee, allowing the ‘keeper to make the save.

Not long after the restart, the visitors were dealt a blow when Antonio picked up a knock and was unable to continue, with Adamon-Eruotor coming on to replace him.

And it was the substitute that almost had an immediate impact off the bench, linking up well with fellow substitute Barrington in the 58th minute. Rodney did brilliantly to win for the Bay, before threading a pass through to Marcel.

The forward tried to repay the favour, with Adamon-Eruotor in space on the edge of the penalty area, but the final pass was just behind its intended target, with the home defence breathing a sigh of relief.

As the game wore on, it was attack versus defence as the Bay forwards tried to breach to Chipstead defence. In the 78th minute, Lanre Azeez burst down the wing, tricked his way past a marker before whipping the ball into the box. With Barrington laying in wait, the home ‘keeper did well to rise high and pluck the ball out of the air.

Throwing men forward left extra space in defence and but for another impressive Morgan challenge in the 87th minute, the hosts would have had a golden opportunity to test Harley Earle in the Herne Bay goal.

As it proved, neither side was able to add anything to the current scoreline, with Chipstead securing the win and Herne Bay left to rue missed opportunities.

Final Score: Chipstead 1 Herne Bay 0

Herne Bay Starting XI: Harley Earle, Frankie Morgan, Dan Johnson, Jahmal Howlett-Mundle, James Folkes, Hamilton Antonio, Bode Anidugbe, Zak Ansah, Kieron Campbell, Hassan Jalloh, Rory Smith.

Subs: Marcel Barrington, Dan Carrington, Rodney Adamon-Eruotor, Lanre Azeez, Jack Parter, Eddie Allsopp, Joe Denny, Troy Williams.