After a week off Herne Bay were looking to build on from the previous 2 strong performances. This time the attention was on the League Cup 2nd round

Played in difficult weather conditions it took some time for the either team to get started. It was however Herne Bay that were the first to apply any decent amount of pressure finally creating the first clear opportunity of the game.
A great interception from Theo followed by some neat 1 touch passing saw Freddie put Sammy through only for the latter to shoot straight at the keeper.
This seemed to spark something in Herne Bay & almost immediately Sammy was put through again only to see his effort go narrowly wide.
Moments later the deadlock was finally broken, Blake putting pressure on the defender to win the ball followed by a great cross met on the volley inside the 6 yard box by Freddie meant Herne Bay were deservedly 1-0 up.
Most of the first half followed the same patter with chances for Danny, Henry, Charlie, Freddie & Sammy coming to nothing such was the resolute defending from the opposition. At the other end any danger was being eradicated from the back 3 of Theo, Ralph & Olly. This was until a mix up from some good pressing from a Whitstable player saw them 1v1 with Callum only to see their effort go across the goal & out of play for a goal kick

The second half followed the same pattern as the first with Herne Bay controlling the ball in large spells but struggling to break the stubborn Whitstable defensive unit. Surely exploiting the channels through Danny, Oscar & Finley was going to help.
On 55 minutes Herne bay finally grabbed their second, pressure from Thomas & Kai released Blake to thread a pass into the channel where Danny who was causing problems all game put on the afterburners to out pace his opponent & whip a low cross into the path of the oncoming Sammy to meet the ball at the back post & slot in
2 quickly became 3, this time some brave play from Kai & a great advantage from the official saw Sammy race through 1v1 & slot past the onrushing Keeper.
The goals were like busses with number 4 following closely on. This time the ball travelling from back to front through Olly into Henry for Sammy to turn provider & slide into Freddie & with a well timed run cooly rounded the keeper to slot into an empty net.
The goal scoring was rounded off instantly when Ethan’s cross was only half cleared to Sammy who struck first time with his weaker foot leaving the keeper with little chance & with that rounded off his hat-trick
There was still time for some drama at the other end. With a flurry of changes from the Bay, Whitstable looked to capitalise on the unsettledness but unfortunately they came up against a GK determined to get that clean sheet in Callum

A 3rd round clash at home to Holland’s & Blair awaits