Defending league champions Herne Bay FC 50’s started their campaign off with a home game against the only team to beat them last year, Woodchurch FC 50’s. It was business as usual with Andy Long in goal rarely troubled mainly because of the well organised defence of Rob Rae and Martin lamb. The Bay started confidently, moving the ball around and holding possession for most of the game. The first goal came in the first half from a well hit shot from HB’s Simon Brooks, it took a slight deflection but the power had already beaten the opposing goal keeper. Chances fell to Danny Kimber and Kevin Marsh but were saved or just wide. With great inter passing amongst Trevor Brown and Kevin Marsh it wasn’t long after that Simon Brooks found the back of the net again with another left footed thunderbolt. Goal keeper having no chance. The Bay went into half time 2-0 up. Second half Woodchurch came out with a bit more zip but found it hard to break down the HB defence. 5 minutes into the second half after a very tidy performance up front Kevin Marsh was substituted for Conrad Sage-Hoff. Sage-Hoff making his debut slotted straight in, even turning his marker and shooting into the bottom left corner only to see it saved with a fantastic dive from the Woodchurch keeper. After a steady performance Lamb was replaced with Steve Farbrace who slotted in nicely as usual. With the game looking a bit stale Woodchurch were gifted a penalty after Danny Kimber committed two running offences in quick succession. With the new four running offence rule coming into play this season the tally had now reached four which resulted with the penalty. With their only real chance of the game the Woodchurch striker shot the ball over the bar. The Bay finished the game out keeping possession with little resistance. Game finished 2-0 to the Bay. MOM was Simon Brooks with two great goals and a class controlled performance.

Team
A. Long
R. Rae
M. Lamb
T. Brown
D. Kimber
S. Brooks
K. Marsh
Subs
C. Sage-Hoff
S. Farbrace
H. Roberts