A double from Michael Salako and an outstanding move started and finished off by Scott Heard earned Herne Bay an important home win against Ashford United.

Herne Bay was without Joel Odeniran, who has returned to his parent club Folkestone Invicta and brought Salako and Josh Reid back into the starting eleven instead of Artem Kuchkov and Kane Rowland. Kyle Atkinson was rewarded with a place in the team after impressing during training.

Both teams seemed a little slow to get going for the earlier 1:30 kick-off due to a floodlight issue and both defences were able to prevent any early clear-cut chances. Josh Bexon, starting his 8th straight game, had a comfortable save from Noah Carney and cut out a low cross at his near post, but had a nervous moment from a free-kick fired across the area after Monty Saunders was booked for a foul.

Heard’s persistence in challenging Ashford’s recent signing Jack Dixon nearly paid off but after stealing the ball, his cross to Kane Haysman couldn’t quite be reached. Jack Parter and Josh Reid enjoyed some space down Herne Bay’s right and were involved in most of our attacking play.

Sinn’Kaye Christie through ball had Taite Holtham, who started the season on loan at Herne Bay, rushing off his line to intercept. Then immediately at the other end of the pitch, Christie was called upon to make a headed clearance when under pressure, and covered well after a defensive lapse looked like it could turn into something more serious.

The breakthrough for Bay came in the 30th minute. A Herne Bay corner was taken short by Saunders back to fellow full-back Parter, who had one touch and then crossed toward Heard who had got ahead of his marker. Heard headed back across goal and when met by Salako’s perfectly timed run he headed firmly beyond the diving Holtham.

Ashford responded positively trying to get back level, but Bexon commanded his area to take a cross, and Saunders blocked well after Harry Waldock had put Carney through. Saunders soon had to go off after a suspected hamstring injury, to be replaced by young Fenn Roberts.

Bexon saved a header from Ashford captain Craig Stone and was pleased to see Lockyer’s header go wide in time added on at the end of the first half after Christie had oddly been penalised for obstruction when he was held on the floor.

Bay scored their second goal of the game through Salako in the 54th minute. He was put through with only Holtham to beat by Atkinson after Kane Haysman had broken down the left. It was Salako’s 15th of the season and well deserved for all the effort he had put in chasing down and winning defensive headers.

As earlier, Ashford United tried to respond with Carney firing a dangerous ball across the face of the goal which Lockyer could not reach.

Ethan Smith, arguably Bay’s man of the match, closed down Holtham very quickly and nearly extended Bay’s lead.

Ashford United scored their goal in the 64th minute when Lockyer lofted the ball over Bexon from outside the area.

There were further chances for both teams to score more in all honesty. Bay will point to chances for Haysman to score with his head after Reid and Heard combined for a cross, Roberts struck a decent effort on target but was covered by Holtham at the near post, and there were loud appeals for a penalty when players thought the ball had struck a defenders arm when controlling. Ashford United will be cursing their luck as Bexon made a brilliant save from Carney, and attempts by Sam Smith and Barry Fuller hit the post.

The pressure should have been relieved in the 74th minute when after some hard work and a superb cross from Salako found Reid with the task of finishing the game off. However, Reid somehow couldn’t get his body in the right shape and the ball eluded him.
Soon after, Ashford’s Waldock tried a long shot and Bexon pushed it wide for a corner, which came to nothing.

In the 84th minute after a build-up worth the admission price alone, Bay scored a delightful third that wrapped up the win. Heard started the attack down Herne Bay’s left and switched the play to Parter. Parter played a one-two with Reid, and the back heel from Reid was perfectly in Parter’s path to lay the ball on the deck to Heard who had continued his run into the box and fired the ball into the back of the net.

In time added on, Bay nearly scored a fourth but Holtham saved from Reid after Heard’s outside of the right foot pass had given him sight of goal.

Nonetheless, it was a much-needed win for Herne Bay who have improved in key aspects.

Herne Bay: Bexon, Atkinson (Kuckkov 56’), Parter, Christie, Friend, Heard, Reid, E Smith, Salako (Rowland 78’), Haysman, Saunders (Roberts 36’)

Subs Unused: Salmon, Wilson

Yellow Cards: Saunders (16’), Heard (74’)

Next Fixtures:
Saturday 8th February 13:30, home v Broadbridge Heath (Isthmian South East)
Tuesday 11th February 19:45, away v Erith Town (Isthmian South East)