Herne Bay: Jordan Perrin, Dan Carrington, Jack Parter, Laurence Harvey, Dan Johnson, Bode Anidugbe, Rory Smith, Hamilton Antonio, Zak Ansah, Bradley Schafer, Kieron Campbell
Subs Used: Reion McFarlane (Schafer89) Harry Lynch (Smith 76)
Subs Not Used: Lucas Hanley

A game of the proverbial two halves, with Bay in total control for the first 45 minutes and Three Bridges dominating the second.

Bay have a very good record at Three Bridges, scoring a high number of goals and after the first 45 minutes it looked as if Bay would add to this, but Bridges raised the tempo in the second half, forcing Bay into errors, as they forced their way back into the game.

Bay looked very good in the first half, opening the scoring 5 minutes into the game. Kieron Campbell put clear on the left, cut into the box, jinking past two defenders before hitting a fierce shot which deflected off the central defender, over the keeper into the goal. Bridges fought back and 4 minutes later were level. A swift run down the left flank by Giani Ashley, followed by a low cross was forced over the line, at the near post by Bryan Villavicencio.

Undeterred, Bay forced the play with quick, accurate passing. From their first corner, Bradley Schafer sent over a cross to the far post where Laurence Harvey rose high above the defence to power a header into the back of the net, restoring Bay’s lead. Still pressing home their advantage, Schafer put Campbell away, and in a similar move to his first goal, cutting into the area, but this time the shot went wide of the target. It was Campbell again with another low shot off target. From a free-kick 20 yards out, Schafer fired in a low volley, which the keeper did well to steer around the upright with a full stretch, diving save to his right. A good move involving Zak Ansah and Dan Carrington down the right flank led to a fine cross into the area. Met by Schafer, but his header was again turned around the upright by keeper Patrick Wanat. Ansah had the next attempt. His shot was hit straight at the Wanat and he was able to make a comfortable save.

The lead was increased in the 36th minute when Jordan Perrin lofted a ball, deep into Bridges half. Wanat came out to collect but allowed the ball to bounce, and bounce it did, straight over him and into the goal to the delight of the Bay fans standing behind the goal. Bridges nearly pulled one back in the closing minutes of the half following a misunderstanding between Harvey and Perrin; both leaving the cross to each other which allowed Villavincio to head the ball towards the empty goal. Fortunately, Carrington was on hand to clear the ball off the line. The second period was all Bridges. The referee seemed to be helping their cause with some very dubious decision. Perrin had to be quick off his line, diving at the feet of substitute, Ben Aubrey. Schafer gives away a free kick on the edge of the area. The kick was deflected away for a corner, from which Alex Barbary‘s header hit the wrong side of the upright. Not to be denied, it was Barbary’s shot that deflected wide of Perrin to bring Bridges back into the game. Perrin fingertips a fine Brannon O’Neill volley from 20 yards over the bar. Carrington heads off the line as Bridges press for the equalizer but Bay held on to take the victory and the vital three points.

Three Bridges can feel very unlucky not to have come away with a share of the points following their very strong second-half display.

Three Bridge - Herne Bay
7 - Corners - 6
17 - Fouls - 11
3 - Cautions - 2
10 - Shots on Target - 6
4 - Shots off Target - 4
2 - Offside - 2