The U23s kicked off their season with an impressive performance against Lydd Town at The Crest Stadium. While the squad featured a handful of familiar faces from last season, it was largely made up of exciting young talent, with the starting XI having an average age of just 17.5 years.

It took only three minutes for Sonnie Hemmings to put the Bay ahead, producing a spectacular strike from 20 yards that crashed into the top corner.

Just four minutes later, the boys' high press paid dividends. Hemmings won possession from a loose pass and slipped in Kaeden Jefferys, who coolly finished to make it 2-0.

The visitors had barely recovered when Herne Bay struck again two minutes later. Sammy Railton, who was proving dominant in midfield, glided past his marker following a superb turn before threading a pass through to Hemmings, who made no mistake in grabbing his second of the game.

What a start. The boys were flying and completely dominated the opening stages.

On 13 minutes, Herne Bay came close to adding another. Charlie Keyte delivered a long ball over the top to Jack Omans, who brought it down brilliantly before finding Hemmings. His effort flashed narrowly wide of the far post.

Ollie Edwards went close with a header shortly afterwards, while Jefferys was also denied as Lydd's goalkeeper produced a string of fine saves to keep the score down.

The visitors' goalkeeper was again called into action on 35 minutes, making excellent stops to deny both Hemmings and Max Woodfine.

The fourth goal finally arrived a minute later. Railton once again showed his quality, beating two players with ease before finding Jefferys, who smashed home his second goal of the afternoon.

Half-Time: Herne Bay U23s 4-0 Lydd Town

Lydd emerged for the second half with greater intensity and came closest to scoring when they struck the post.

However, the young Bay side quickly regained control. Ten minutes into the second half Ollie Moore who was outstanding at the back found Woodfine who burst down the wing and drove a dangerous low cross across the face of goal for Jefferys to fire home and complete his hat-trick.

Shortly after his third goal, Jefferys was replaced by Samuel Odiase.

Juliani Webster-Mbunga and Toby Downs were introduced midway through the second half, while Charlie Cook and Jude Sutton entered the action on 80 minutes.

There was still time for one more goal. Deep into stoppage time, Cook surged forward before finding Harry Maurice, whose first-time cross was perfect for Odiase to calmly slot home and complete the scoring.

Full-Time: Herne Bay 6-0 Lydd Town

A fantastic all-round team performance from the U23s to start the season in style. With such a young squad, there were plenty of encouraging signs and a number of standout individual displays as the boys opened their campaign with a convincing six-goal victory.

Goalscorers

Hemmings (3', 9')
Jefferys (7', 36', 55')
Odiase (90')

Starting XI

Will Underdown
Ollie Moore
Harry Maurice
Ollie Edwards
Charlie Keyte
Dontae Zacharia
Sonnie Hemmings
Sammy Railton
Kaeden Jefferys
Jack Omans
Max Woodfine

Substitutes

Samuel Odiase
Juliani Webster-Mbunga
Toby Downs
Charlie Cook
Jude Sutton