In an at times subdued performance, Herne Bay came from behind to earn a share of the spoils in a 2-2 home draw with Chatham. The away side sat off for much of the match, presenting an unusual departure from the usual high tempo pressing most teams in the league employ, keeping ten men behind the ball when Herne Bay had possession.

As a result, the home side dominated possession for much of the first half, patiently probing for gaps in the massed ranks of the opposition. Chances were few and far between but eventually Herne Bay carved out an opening that led to the opening goal. Kai, patrolling the midfield, intercepted a loose pass and found Henry, who spread the ball to Dylan, charging down the right flank. His hard and low cross evaded everyone in the middle but rattled off the far post and fell kindly for Blake, following up smartly, to tuck the rebound home.

The home side thought they’d doubled their advantage when Kai won another header in midfield to find Blake, who lofted a pass through to Freddie. The skipper’s flick on was anticipated by Dylan who finished emphatically, only to see a narrow offside decision go against him. At the other end, Callum was untroubled throughout the half.

Herne Bay simply needed to maintain their focus and continue to probe for openings in the second half but some slackness began to enter their play. A loose ball in midfield wasn’t dealt with and the Chatham forward was quickly in down the Herne Bay right. His cross, to absolutely nobody in the middle, took a cruel deflection and crept inside the far post.

Like London busses, a second for the away side quickly followed. Again, the ball was turned over in midfield and Chatham broke quickly to score, punishing the home side for their lack of intensity.

Herne Bay dug deep and battled back into the game, without creating too many clear chances. Danny flashed a cross through the six yard box that was begging to be finished but nobody could get on the end of it. However, the game was beginning to be played largely in the Chatham half and the pressure eventually told. A corner was swung in to the back post and Henry, ghosting in unmarked, was on hand to head home.

With time ticking on, Sammy took matter into his own hands and unleashed a thunderous left footed effort from outside the area that looked for all the world to be heading for the top corner, only for the Chatham keeper to produce a miraculous stop. From the resulting corner, Danny headed back across goal but narrowly wide. Unfortunately, no further clear cut chances were forthcoming as the away side defended robustly to take their point back to Medway.