Facing eight matches in October and nine in November, Herne Bay will need a deep squad, and tonight that was proven as Bay was missing three regular starters in Liam Friend, Scott Heard and Mike Salako.

The players coming into the starting eleven did themselves proud, and after Joel Odeniran’s excellently timed challenge on Steyning’s forward in the first minute, Bay were largely on top in the first half.

The first chance came as Kane Rowland skipped past two players and fired a speculative 30-yard shot. Though on target, it didn’t trouble the visiting keeper Nathan Stroomberg-Clarke.

Bay’s opening goal came in the 5th minute – Odeniran chipped a lofted pass to Frankie Smith who found Kane Haysman. He shrugged off a defender and squared a pass to Artem Kuchkov who controlled and turned with his left foot before picking out Josh Reid with his right foot. Reid calmly stroked the ball past three defenders and the keeper to score at the far post.

Bay’s control of the game was evident as Mo Kamara’s sublime long pass to Reid led to a cross which narrowly evaded the on-rushing Kanes – Rowland and Haysman.

After Steyning’s Charlie Weller had fired over the bar, Ethan Smith supplied Kuchkov with an opportunity to add to Bay’s lead, but his shot lacked the power or accuracy required and was easily saved.

In the 18th minute, Bay did find the important 2nd goal. Kuchkov lobbed the ball into space which gave Reid the chance to use his speed to pressurise the defender into a poor clearance to Jack Parter. A couple of touches and a pinpoint cross from Parter found Rowland, who placed his header past the stranded Stroomberg-Clarke.

Towards the end of the 1st half, Steyning put Bay under a little more pressure and Odeniran was booked during this spell, but on the whole Bay’s defence coped with anything they had to, so at half-time Herne Bay remained 2-0 ahead.

Steyning reminded Bay that the game wasn’t over within minutes of the second half starting. A thunderous shot from distance from Ollie Hyland crashed against the crossbar and some spectators from the Copper Pottle thought that Harry Brooks had got his fingertips on it. If he did it was an excellent save.

Although Steyning Town was much more sprightly in the second half, there weren’t too many clear-cut chances to get back in the game as Bay’s defence was very solid, and the 7th clean sheet in league and cup this season was achieved.

From an attacking viewpoint, although some of the build-up play was very impressive too often the final killer pass was lacking, and for all the endeavours the score remained at 2-0.
Man of the Match, Joel Odeniran, did ensure the clean sheet as he headed off the line with four minutes to go.

One concern may have been the small crowd of 274 which was Herne Bay’s lowest since the opening game of the 2021/22 Season on 28/08/21 when 231 watched the opening home game. It would be encouraging for the team to have more support to cheer them on as they are playing some delightful football and each match is important.

Our next game is on Saturday 12th October at 3pm, at The Crest Stadium, Winch’s Field against Sevenoaks Town in the Isthmian South-East.

Herne Bay; Brooks, Salmon, Parter, Kuchkov, Odeniran, Kamara, Reid (Hanfrey, 82), E Smith, Rowland, Haysman, F Smith (Saunders, 82 ).

Subs Unused; Salako, Hill, Hillier

Yellow Cards; Odeniran (82)