Halfway through pre-season and again Bay had little chance to shine against higher league Margate who looked proficient without being outstanding. Jon Miles was not troubled in the Gate goal during the first period and at the other end Bay’s Jake Batchelor had little to do, other to watch some wayward shooting from the home side, until just after the half hour when Kudus Oyenuga volleyed home from a Noel Leighton cross.
Just before Kyron Lightfoot, who has been one of the plus points of the season so far, had limped off to be replaced by Danny Leonard. Four minutes before the break Batchelor parried an Oyenuga strike, Jack Richards sent over a cross from the rebound and Leighton tapped home. Ten minutes after the restart Margate made it three when Kadell Daniel collected the ball and calmly slotted into the far corner. The game became scrappy, but Bay were showing some promise and with 20 minutes to go twice went close. Firstly, Luke Griffiths hit the crossbar and then Keiron Campbell curled a right footer narrowly wide.
The reward came on 82 when Bola Dawodu cut in from the left and slid the ball past Miles. Four games left, all at home, two against lower league opponents followed by two fellow Step Four sides and Herne Bay should get more of an opportunity to try and their formation and combinations and must surely have more of the ball than they have in the past week.

Squad included: Jake Batchelor, Michael Turner, Malachi Robinson, Laurence Harvey, Gary Sayer, Chris Saunders, Ryan King, Dan Lawrence, Zak Ansah, Kyron Lightfoot, Kieron Campbell, Danny Leonard, Bola Dawodu, Luke Griffiths, Joe Nelder, Simon Kabamba, Joe Kennett, Ricky Freeman.