Last season, Faversham went the league season unbeaten and gave Herne Bay a chastening defeat in this fixture. Despite trailing both two-nil and three-one in this game, this time the Bay triumphed 4-3 in a seven goal thriller and handed Faversham their first league defeat in over a year.

The home team were the dominant side for much of the first half, showcasing their prowess and pinning Herne Bay back for long stretches. After several attempts at goal, they took the lead when a curling free kick from out wide appeared to evade everyone and creep in at the far post. Faversham then doubled their advantage by snapping up a half cleared corner and finishing from close range.

If the signs were looking ominous for the away side, a glimmer of hope arrived just before halftime. Danny finally found some space down the left hand side, left his marker in his wake, and whipped a low cross to the far post for Freddie, arriving at the back post, to steer home.

Unfortunately for the away side, a third Faversham goal came just after half time, again from another half cleared set piece, leaving the Bay a mountain to climb.

After struggling to play through the Faversham press, Herne Bay started to bypass it entirely with longer passing and began to get a foothold in the game. One such long pass from Theo found Freddie striding through. The skipper outmuscled his opponent and finished calmly to bring Herne Bay back to life.

Now the Bay were in the ascendency and suddenly looked the fitter and more imposing side. Another longer pass found Sammy pinning the defender in the box. His lay off to Dylan was well judged and the summer signing made no mistake to draw Herne Bay level.

With time ticking down, another lay off from Sammy afforded Dylan the opportunity to strike an effort at goal from the edge of the box, but his effort was palmed away for a corner. The resulting corner was only partially cleared; Dylan laid the ball off to Henry outside the box and his strike was too hot for the keeper to handle. Freddie was alive to the rebound and emphatically powered it home for his hat trick, sending the players, staff and away fans into rapture.

Herne Bay closed the game out safely and securely to secure a fantastic three points before matters turn to Tonbridge at home in the cup next weekend.