......... but credit should go to Rochester United, who finished second from bottom in the SCEFL First Division and received a reprieve from relegation, who were first to pick up any second balls and looked the liveliest of the two sides.

Kieron Campbell, who had been the most dangerous of Bay’s attacking options went down in the 23rd minute and was replaced by Kyron Lightfoot. A speculative cross from the right a minute before the break deceived Jack Delo, he failed to hold the ball, and Tom Rutnum was on hand to head into an empty net. It was a well-deserved lead as Herne Bay had looked slow and ponderous.

Things did not improve after the break and on 73 Rochester doubled their lead through Harry Hornsby but with 15 minutes left on the clock Bay pull one back with through Zak Ansah’s eighth of pre-season. Momentarily this seemed to spur Herne Bay on, but any thoughts of a comeback were short-lived as the home side dropped back to being second best.

Ben Nourse in the Rochester goal deserves a special mention as he dealt comfortably with anything that came his way, and ex-Bay Players Max Ciano and Connor Cox were both up to their tasks.

Bay were without Joe Kennett, Chris Saunders and Stuart West and whilst having plenty of offensive options looked light at the back without any defensive midfielders on display. There needs to be improvement in the next two pre-season matches against teams from the same level, and with the competitive season fast approaching there is still plenty to work on.