After last weekend’s disappointing season-opener, Herne Bay were looking to bounce back quickly with their first home fixture. The opponents were last season’s league winners, Hastings. The two sides couldn’t get the better of each other home and away in that campaign so Herne Bay were under no illusions about the challenge ahead.

The match was delayed by about 15 mins and it seemed as if the home side were still in warm up mode as Hastings came flying out of the blocks. Herne Bay gave the ball away in their own half and were ruthlessly punished; the Hastings striking cracking a fierce effort off the bar and his teammate volleying the rebound emphatically into the net. 0-1.

Herne Bay fashioned a chance of their own shortly after, with Charlie spreading the ball wide to Finn, who fizzed a pass into Sammy. His flick around the corner found Freddie but the skipper steered his attempt wide of the far post. Minutes later Herne Bay would be punished again, losing the ball in their own half and undone by a slide rule pass to the onrushing striker. He tucked home comfortably to double their advantage. 0-2

Herne Bay were rattled by the fast start but started to reassert some authority. Tom fired narrowly over from the edge of the box before Blake sent a teasing cross into a dangerous area, forcing the Hastings defence to put behind for a corner. Blake’s delivery dipped nicely above the six yard box and Freddie was on hand to force the ball home with his chest. 1-2.

Herne Bay seemed to be in the ascendency but again shot themselves in the foot. A loose throw in was quickly seized on by the Hastings midfield and spread wide. The resulting low cross was controlled and steered into the top corner. 1-3.

A stern half time team talk was surely in the air, reminding the boys that you have to earn the right to play by winning your battles, as Hastings were stronger and quicker into the tackle throughout the half. Herne Bay were clearly shocked to find themselves further behind shortly after half time, after a quick throw in down the line led to another low cross that was drilled home past a helpless Callum. 1-4

Firm words were exchanged between the boys before the restart and it paid immediate dividends. Danny, who had been a thorn on Hastings’ side throughout with his direct running, capitalised on a mistake from the Hastings defence and he finished expertly to close the deficit to two. 2-4.

With Herne Bay pushing on, Callum was called on to make an extraordinary one-on-one save, bravely spreading himself at the feet of the opposing striker and blocking the ball with his face. At the other end, Danny was peppering the goal, curling narrowly wide and forcing a good save from the keeper from his own pressing. Sammy then hit the top of the bar with half cross, half shot from a tight angle as Herne Bay ratcheted up the pressure.

With time ebbing away, Hastings began to slow the play down and frustrate the home team. Ollie had to make several sliding blocks to prevent dangerous crosses and Tom was called into action with an expert last man tackle. With Hastings finding a second wind, pressure in the Herne Bay half led to an underhit back pass that was never reaching Callum. Thankfully Theo was alert to the danger, racing back to dispossess the advancing striker and clear.

Herne Bay summoned one last reserve of energy for the finale and got themselves back within touching distance of Hastings. Henry lobbed a ball over the high backline and Freddie broke the offside trap. He strode forward confidently and finished with aplomb, with Herne Bay players descending on the net to retrieve the ball for a fast restart. 3-4

Hastings seemed stunned and, with Herne Bay on the front foot, two visiting players saw yellow for overzealous attempts to curtail the home team’s momentum. After another Danny surging run was halted unfairly, Herne Bay earned a free kick about 25 yards from goal. Up stepped Finn to curl a sumptuous strike high over the wall and onto the underside of the cross bar. The ball bounced down over the line and the goal was given, prompting delirium on the touchline. 4-4

A great comeback after a difficult start and signs that the boys are beginning to appreciate the competitive effort required at this new level.