Herne Bay: Jordan Perrin, Ryan Cooper, Jack Parter, Dan Carrington, Dan Johnson, JJ Naiwo, Bode Anidugbe, Hamilton Antonio, Zak Ansah, Chinedu McKenzie, Kieron Campbell
Subs Used: Dean Grant (McKenzie 70), Callum Adonis-Taylor (Carrington 94), Reion McFarlane (Naiwo 94)
Subs Not Used: Danny Lawrence, Luke Illsley

A dominant second half, with a superb Zak Ansah volley securing the win and three points against local rivals, Whitstable Town, in front of a bumper Bank Holiday crowd.

An even first half, ended with honours even, with Bay going in front in the 17th minute from the penalty spot. The equalizer coming from ex Bay, Danny Walder, with a fabulous free-kick from 35 yards.
Ansah showed his intent with the first shot on goal; following this with a pass to Chinedu McKenzie, giving Kieron Campbell the opportunity to fire in a first time short, forcing Dan Eason into a diving save. Tom Carlton, another former Bay player, should have given Whitstable the lead in the 9th minute, but he blasted the ball over the bar from 4 yards out following a superb cross into the box from Ryan Flack. Whitstable was having a great deal of success down their left flank but the final ball into the box never quite delivered. From another break down the left, Dan Carrington intercepted a pass and surged forward but was brought down just over the halfway line. From free-kick, Bay won a corner. A short corner went to Ansah who moved into the area, where he was tripped by George McIlroy. From the spot-kick, Ansah smashed a low drive into the bottom corner, beating Eason.

Whitstable came back with several attacks down the left. Five minutes later they were level. Carrington fouling Carlton 10 yards inside Bay’s half. Up stepped Walder; his free-kick was perfectly flighted, finding the net, off the underside of the bar. This gave Whistable more impetus and they stepped up the play. Tom Mills shot from range but wide of the target, followed by great work from Jake McKenzie, getting the better of two defenders before shooting wide of the target. Bay completed the half with three good attempts on Eason’s goal. Campbell shooting straight at the keeper. Dan Johnson’s header from a corner was parried by Eason, falling to McKenzie. Eason responded with a point-blank save with the ball eventually being cleared. The next attack saw a forceful run from Jack Parter, passing to JJ Naiwo but Whitstable defended well to keep the score level at the interval.

The second half was a different story. Bay played much faster and forced Whitstable into their own half. All the attacks were coming from The Bay. Campbell was causing problems every time he had the ball, with strong jinking runs, turning the defenders inside out, and drawing fouls. Whitstable had one attack of note and only a fine save from Jordan Perrin kept the scores level.
Back came Bay with a promising attack down the left resulted in a corner, from which the clearance fell to Campbell, who raced forward and placed a through ball to Ansah on the left side of the area, from where he fired a curling volley over Eason into the top corner to give a Bay a well-deserved lead.

Dean Grant was bought into the attack, replacing McKenzie, and was causing problems with his power play, drawing a foul on the edge of the box. JJ’s free-kick smashed into the wall and the follow up ended with the same result and the ball ultimately cleared.
A couple of further substitutes and a yellow card for Carrington ensured Bay saw the game out to take the bragging rights.

Match report by John Bathurst