Despite creating a steady stream of chances Herne Bay were frustrated by Broadbridge Heath’s goalkeeper and some below-par finishing, which led to the first 0-0 draw at The Crest Stadium since 28th October 2023.

Injuries and personnel changes in the Herne Bay squad presented a ‘new look’ defence, with only captain Liam Friend in the starting eleven that beat Ashford United last weekend. Dan Carrington came back from injury and Sky Salmon began his first game since early December. Fenn Roberts was trusted to replace Jack Parter, who has left to join Faversham Town. On Thursday evening goalkeeper Harley Earle was signed from Sittingbourne and replaced Josh Bexon between the sticks. Theo Osinfolarin, who was with Bay last season, has rejoined and was included for the injured Monty Saunders.

Broadbridge Heath looked to make amends after their home defeat against Steyning Town on Tuesday had the first effort at goal in the 8th minute but Mark Goldson gave an early taster to Earle who cleanly gathered. Goldston had scored a hat-trick against Bay in December.

Bay returned that attack and should have taken the lead. Earle’s lock kick to Josh Reid put him in space and his cross cleared the Bears keeper Alfie Hadfield and dropped to Michael Salako only yards out. Uncharacteristically, Salako didn’t head the ball cleanly and it hit Hadfield’s legs and went out for a corner. From this Salako was adjudged to have fouled Hadfield going for a fifty-fifty ball on the ground.

After Sean Terry had fouled Reid, Scott Heard’s free-kick was punched away and then Broadbridge Heath had their first of two good chances in the 17th minute when Terry’s cross looked certain to be turned in by Goldston but he struck his shot wide.

A promising build-up by Bay in the 19th minute involving Heard and Reid who delivered a cross to Osinfolarin, but his header was blocked. Then in an end-to-end spell of the game, Kyle Sim had a header cleared off the line by Earle.

Broadbridge Heath then enjoyed a spell of pressure, which needed a confident catch by Earle from Terry’s loh through, Smith and Osinfolarin blocked shots from Dowdell.
Thirty minutes in, Smith won the ball around the middle of the park with a typically determined challenge and exchanged passes with Heard but the effort at goal by Osinfolarin was over the bar. Osinfolarin then took on a defender inside and out to cross but it cleared everybody.

Skye Salmon and Dan Carrington defended well, blocking shots, and Salako’s promising run in time added on only earned a corner.

Herne Bay attacked the Car Park end in the second half and almost straight away a foul on Osinfolarin, he took the free-kick headed goal-bound by Kane Rowland. A deflection off a defender went straight to a relieved goalkeeper.

After a quiet spell, Heard’s cross picked out Salako but the shot was straight at the busy keeper, Hadfield.

There was another opportunity for Bay via a corner taken by Osinfolarin and headed over by Carrington. Osinfolarin nearly broke the deadlock with an inswinging corner, when it avoided everyone on the goal line but shaved the outside of the far post before going off for a goal-kick.

Bay brought on Kane Rowland and Artem Kuchkov to change the focus of the attack. There were ten minutes of normal time left when Haysman’s pass put Reid through but his shot was pushed around the near post by Hadfield.

Smith then reacted well to intercept a short goal-kick, and made it into the penalty box before shooting wide and having appeals for a corner turned down.

Bay then had four minutes of time added on to find the winner. Yet again Hadfield saved from Rowland with his legs and Broadbridge Heath saw out the rest of the time without further problems.

Herne Bay: Earle, Salmon, Roberts, Carrington, Friend, Heard, Reid, E Smith, Salako (Rowland 69’), Haysman, Osinfolarin (Kuchkov 77’)

Subs Unused: Christie, Awoleke, Wilson

Yellow Cards: E Smith (34’), Haysman (59’ )

Next Fixtures:
Tuesday 11th February 19:45, away v Erith Town (Isthmian South East)
Saturday 15th February 15:00, away v Sevenoaks Town (Isthmian South East)