HBVR 4 – 0 Herne Bay Harriers
C Gilpin (2)
L Gilpin
C Thompson

This was the Reserves’ third League game of the season, following a draw with leaders Manston on the opening day of the season and the 2-4 come back at Canterbury Eagles in September

Herne Bay Harriers are a much-fancied outfit in the Second Division and one tipped to do well, although their only other result before today was a 4-0 mauling by Ramsgate.

Herne Bay boasted a full squad and were even able to include debutant Paul Tomkies on the substitutes bench with a view to getting him involved throughout the season. Nick Green returned from absence to test a troublesome calf injury and captain Simon Smith was making his first league start of the season, a welcome return to midfield that included the immense talents of Leigh Gilpin, Stu Munday and Dave Close.

Today’s familiar back line of Fell-Foad-Wynne and Edwards was playing in front of new keeper John Odlu, a recent welcome signing that helps us in the eternally tricky position of gloveman. Up top, Stu Munday was tucked behind Nick Green and Craig Thompson, making his debut with the Reserves today.

That meant a talent packed bench of Bowman, Close, Powell and the afore-mentioned Tomkies.

As the manager’s pre-match WhatsApp comments had said, strong squads win matches together and it was fantastic to see 15 players of this quality, all in the new gold, gold and black kit hoping to take the spoils and go to the top of the league.

The early indications were good but Harriers were playing at very high tempo looking to upset the home side and possessed a number of players capable of creating chances of their own. The opening half hour or so was largely a stalemate, but shortly after this a Gilpin combination provided the opener: Leigh to Craig who finished with style.

With the game delicately poised as we went into the break, Herne Bay came out of the blocks in the second, handing Paul Tomkies his debut and promptly doubled their lead with only a minute on the clock when Carvy fed Craig Gilpin who controlled the ball superbly before opening his body and finishing back across the keeper, Thierry Henry style, for his 4th goal in 5 games (making him the league’s top goal scorer as we speak).

The goal settled Herne Bay and drained the energy from the legs of the Harriers. The home side began to impose themselves on the game as time went on and as Bill fed Craig Thompson, he fired home his third goal in two games.

Tired legs and a decisive scoreline meant a near collapse from the visitors which allowed Craig Gilpin to grab his brace and settle the outcome of the match with 10 minutes remaining.

Overall this was a deserved victory in a game which needed to be won after a strong and positive opening half hour from Harriers. But the ability to make changes throughout the game and a general good level of fitness allowed Herne Bay to come out on top.

The win took us joint top of the league (with Manston) and means that we go in to the tie with Whitstable hoping to consolidate that position.

Man of the match today was Tommy Powell, playing a couple of key positions and not putting a foot wrong. Well done Tom.

Here is how we lined up at the start:

J Odlum

R Fell L Foad C Wynne K Edwards

L Gilpin D Close S Smith

S Munday

C Thompson N Green

Starting from the bench: B Bowman, T Powell, C Gilpin, M Carvosso, P Tomkies
Result: Herne Bay Vets 4 – 0 Harriers
Man-of-the-match: Player's vote: Leigh Gilpin
Man-of-the-match: Opposition vote: Craig Thompson
Referee: W Gardner [100]