The Bay bounce back with an impressive home victory

After a few disappointing performances, the Bay were looking to get back to winning ways as they welcomed Sheppey sports to face them at home.

Sheppey started the brighter of the two sides, and Will Underdown was called into action inside the opening seven minutes, making an important one-on-one save to keep the scores level.

The visitors took the lead on 10 minutes, reacting quickest to a rebound following a free kick to make it 0–1.

The Bay nearly found themselves two goals behind shortly afterwards, but Charlie Keyte produced an excellent goal-line clearance to prevent Sheppey from extending their lead.

Samuel Odiase then came close at the other end, forcing a low save from the visiting goalkeeper. Just two minutes later, Kaeden Jefferys dragged an effort narrowly wide after some excellent pressing play from the Bay.

The pressure was building, and on 20 minutes, Jude Sutton showed great anticipation to win possession in his own half before driving through midfield and into the penalty area. Just as he was preparing to shoot, he was brought down, leaving the referee with an easy decision.

Max Woodfine stepped up and calmly converted the penalty to bring the Bay level at 1–1.

The Bay were growing into the game and began to take control. Around the half-hour mark, a dangerous corner from Sonnie Hemmings created another opportunity, but the resulting effort was cleared off the line.

Underdown was then called upon again on 35 minutes, producing a good low save to turn the ball behind for a corner.

With half-time approaching, the Bay struck again. On 42 minutes, Woodfine picked up possession and found Hemmings down the left. Hemmings delivered an excellent cross into the box, where Jefferys arrived to smash the ball home from six yards and put the Bay ahead.

The Bay pushed for a third before the break, with Hemmings sending another effort over the bar.

*Half-time: Herne Bay U23s 2–1 Sheppey Sports*

The Bay made one change at the break, Harley Nickolson coming on at left-back.

Jack Omans had the first opportunity of the second half after picking up a loose pass in midfield and driving forward, but his effort flew narrowly wide.

Sammy Railton, Charlie Cook, Juliani Webster-Mbunga and Alex Scott were introduced in the 2nd half.

Sheppey continued to threaten, and around 25 minutes into the second half, a long ball caught the Bay defence out. The striker raced through and rounded the onrushing Underdown, but dragged his shot wide of the target.

Underdown was soon back in action, making another important one-on-one save. Just two minutes later, he was called upon once more after Sheppey worked another striker through on goal, with the Bay goalkeeper again coming out on top.

Sheppey continued to search for an equaliser, but the Bay stood firm. On 85 minutes, Keyte produced another crucial goal-line clearance to preserve the home side’s advantage.

Then, just before the final whistle, the Bay delivered the decisive moment.

Railton picked up the ball deep inside his own half and showed excellent strength and composure to hold off two Sheppey players before finding Scott. Scott then played the ball out wide to young substitute Charlie Cook, who made no mistake, smashing a superb finish from 18 yards into the far corner.

It was a fantastic finish to cap off an excellent team move and make it 3–1.

Sheppey restarted the game, but the final whistle followed shortly afterwards, confirming a deserved victory for the Bay.

*Full-time: Herne Bay U23s 3–1 Sheppey Sports*

### Herne Bay U23s squad

*Starting XI*
1. Will Underdown (GK)
2. Dontae Zacharia
3. Jude Sutton
4. Ollie Moore
5. Charlie Keyte
6. Toby Downs
7. Samuel Odiase
8. Jack Omans
9. Kaeden Jefferys
10. Max Woodfine
11. Sonnie Hemmings

*Substitutes*
12. Alex Scott
14. Charlie Cook
15. Sammy Railton
16. Harley Nickolson
17. Juliani Webster-Mbunga

*Goals:* Max Woodfine (penalty), Kaeden Jefferys, Charlie Cook.