Herne Bay were unable to get their league campaign off to a winning start yesterday when Quentin Monville’s late goal saw Potters Bar Town bag a 1-0 win.

The Bay started brightly in boiling temperatures but were unable to break down a stubborn Scholars defence, with both sides entering the half time break level.

Marcel Barrington saw his effort strike the post midway through the second period, before Potters Bar missed chances of their own to take control of the game.

With time running out, Monville’s close range finish in the 89th minute saw the hosts take the lead as Herne Bay stared defeat in the face.

And despite showing signs of promise throughout, the visitors were unable to start their season on a positive note, returning home empty handed.

Wanting to stamp their mark on proceedings as early as possible, the Bay got out of the blocks quickly, with Kymani Thomas and Kieron Campbell both stretching the Scholars back line in the opening couple of minutes.

However, our hosts were themselves looking to start their season the right way and after only nine minutes, they saw a gilt-edged chance got to waste when the ball was headed wide from just inside the Bay penalty area by Joe Boachie.

Thomas, making his league debut for the club, looked dangerous every time he found himself in the opposition half but a great defensive header and a slightly misjudged one of his own a few moments later denied him his first goal in the Bay blue.

With temperatures soaring, regular drinks breaks were required but it seemed that the brief respite following the first one enabled Potters Bar to wrestle back control of the game, with a brilliant save from Jordan Perrin denying Monville what looked a certain goal, before a ball across the Bay goalmouth dribbled beyond the reach of Dejon Noel Williams.

Following another close call for the hosts, Ben Smith’s side began to start dictating the play. In the 37th minute, an excellent challenge in the centre of the pitch from Hamilton Antonio allowed Jalloh the chance to carry the ball forward.

Seeing Barrington in space, the former Hayes & Yeading man threaded the ball through to him but from a tight angle, he could only direct his shot over the bar.

With the game fast approaching half time, tempers began to boil over when a very late challenge on Thomas, as he looked to break away, saw both sides come together in the centre circle.

After a few moments, and one or two choice words, things settled down, before the referee called time on the first half moments later.

At the start of the second period, Corey Parchment came close to an opener, only to fire wide on 47 minutes, before Perrin saved well from a dipping Mo Kamara shot seven minutes later.

Not long after, Barrington was once again in the thick of the action when he bullied his way down the right-hand side, before aiming a pass in Jalloh’s direction. However, with Hassan in a great position to shoot, the ball dribbled just behind him; a let off for the hosts.

It seemed like both sides were beginning to show signs of fatigue as the heat was proving to be relentless for all in attendance.

In the 68th minute, a routine goal kick almost cost the hosts dearly when Emmanuel Agboola pulled up in pain as soon as he struck the ball. The chance to open the scoring fell the way of Barrington, who worked his way to the edge of the Potters Bar penalty area, but his shot struck the post.

Despite having to put an outfield player in goal (Calvin Dickson), the hosts were still creating opportunities of their own, with Perrin once again pulling off a fine save to keep the scores level.

With seven minutes remaining, the chance to test the stand-in ‘keeper needed to be taken and that is exactly what Jalloh did with his shot, but Dickson managed to keep the ball out with his feet.

And the Bay were made to pay for that missed opportunity when with just a minute left on the clock, Monville fired home after Kasim Aidoo had picked him out in space just outside the six-yard box.

Needless to say, our hosts made every effort to slow the game down, as any side would do in that position, much to the visitors’ frustration, who could not find a way to hit back before the final whistle was blown.

Final Score: Potters Bar Town 1 Herne Bay 0

Herne Bay Starting XI: Jordan Perrin, Troy Williams, Jack Parter, Keano Robinson, Lexus Beeden, Hamilton Antonio (Zak Ansah 66’), Marcel Barrington, Kieron Campbell, Kymani Thomas (Rory Smith 73’), Bode Anidugbe, Hassan Jalloh (Helge Orome 84’)

Unused Subs: Chris Edwards, Freddie Carter