Title contenders Sittingbourne had little difficulty brushing aside Herne Bay in this Isthmian League fixture. Tuesday’s result marked only the second time under Steve Lovell’s leadership that Herne Bay has lost by a three-goal margin. Both instances have come against Sittingbourne.

There was only one change to Bay’s starting lineup from Saturday – Kane Rowland was unavailable and replaced by Artem Kuchkov.

The opening phases of the game reflected what was to come for most of the match. Herne Bay struggled to gain possession, preventing them from launching meaningful attacks. They also faced an aerial bombardment of long throw-ins, corners, and crosses, many of which were difficult to defend. Harry Brooks in Bay’s goal, certainly had his busiest match of the season. In the 8th minute, he had to scoop away a long effort from Ayman El-Mogharbel which nearly caught him by surprise on the damp surface, for the first of many corners. From it, he blocked with his feet and Frankie Smith had to clear over the bar.

Sittingbourne scored their first goal in the 13th minute. A corner was headed across goal by Liam Smith, former Bay defender Jack Steventon powered a header towards goal, and Brooks parried it. However, Steventon still had time to make a second headed back in the opposite direction and into the net.

Bay was unable to make any attacking progress and was forced into defending. A run from our wide on Bay’s right took Jay Beckwith along the edge of the penalty area, and his shot struck the post. Brooks did well and recovered in time to block Mitchell May's follow-up.

So hope was there for Herne Bay at half-time as Sittingbourne couldn’t find their second goal before the break.

However, it didn’t last long - the 2nd goal came in the 51st minute. Kane Haysman lost possession, and when the ball broke to May he unleashed a 20-yard shot beyond the diving Brooks.

Herne Bay responded in the 59th minute, when Mo Kamara sent Frankie Smith down the left flank, whose cross found Mike Salako. Salako deftly evaded his marker and stabbed the ball into the net, offering a glimmer of hope at 2-1.

Sittingbourne sealed their dominance in the 70th minute when substitute Troy Howard, another former Bay player, set up Ryan Kingsford to restore the two-goal cushion. May then completed the scoring with a header, his sixth goal in two matches.

Herne Bay; Brooks, Hillier (Saunders 76), F Smith, Carrington, Salmon, Kamara, Heard, E Smith, Salako, Haysman, Kuchkov (Reid 76).

Subs Unused; Parter, Hill, Wilson

Yellow Cards; Heard (28), F Smith (42), Kuchkov (70), Kamara (90+5), Saunders (90+6)