Harry Brooks and Scott Heard were both under suspension, so Manager Steve Lovell, included Kane Haysman in the starting eleven, playing in a deeper role than usual. Josh Bexon continued in goal and he made several important saves ensuring that Bay became the first team to prevent Beckenham Town from scoring in their away games this season.

In the early exchanges, Jack Parter and Monty Saunders were in the thick of the action and Bay without creating a clear-cut chance. For Beckenham, leading scorer Louie Theophanous, couldn’t quite get a clean header on Freddie Nyhus’s cross.

In the 15th minute, Jack Hillier's weighted chipped pass found the hard-working Mike Salako on Bay’s right wing, he turned and passed back to Josh Reid who played in Ethan Smith. Smith saw Parter 22 yards out and he tried a long-range effort wide of the keeper’s right post, as Haysman tried to deflect the ball in.

A quick counterattack by Beckenham in the 19th minute was probably their best chance of the half. Steven Townsend’s good pass sent Nyhus overlapping down the right wing and his cross ran across the six-yard box to Henry Grifin who had his shot blocked by Dan Carrington, and when it fell to Jamarie Brissett, Bexon did well to react and save with his feet.

In the 21st minute, Salako nearly opened the scoring when he leapt high but steered Monty Saunders’ cross wide of the keeper’s left post.

Bay then earned a succession of corners as they dominated possession up to half-time. Smith broke up play in Beckenham’s midfield many times. A Saunders’ deep cross fell to Carrington after the keeper didn’t get a good punch to the ball, and Carrington spun and lofted a shot over the bar.

A similar chance fell to Carrington again ten minutes after this. Parter’s free-kick was flicked goalwards by Salako and although blocked, Saunders headed back to Carrington and he tried another lob, which although closer, was again over the bar.

Thirty-nine minutes in, Reid twisted and turned in the penalty box, before setting up Haysman, who flicked onto Parter. Parter was very unlucky to see his shot strike the post with Beckenham’s keeper Archie Burford beaten. The ball came back to Parter who made space and shot inches over the bar from the edge of the 18-yard box.

After Parter stumbled and lost possession, a quick pass by Luke Hedges put Theophanous one-on-one against Liam Friend. He worked an opening and fired a right-footed shot which Bexon was equal to and saved for a corner. Theophanous finished with a volley from the edge of the box that was wide.

After an entertaining half, albeit without any goals, Bay had a couple of early corners and began to get into their attacking stride again.

However, in the 58th minute, Liam Friend was shown a straight red card when he pushed the speedy Steven Townsend from behind when he knocked the ball past Carrington and then ran onto it himself.

After a tactical reshuffle, Sinn’Kaye Christie, signed on Friday from Sheppey United came on as centre back and Jack Hillier was taken off. Bay was still looking to attack even though playing with ten men. A Smith cross was headed close by Rowland and after Smith won a corner, Burford did well to save from one of his defenders.

The deciding goal of the game came in the 73rd minute. Reid’s shot was blocked by hands twenty yards out. Saunders and Haysman stood ready to take, and Haysman took the kick and it wrongfooted Burford after taking a deflection of the Beckenham wall.

A good attack by Bay broke down when Reid tried a difficult pass when a shot might have been the better choice, and Beckenham had a chance too which ended up flying over the bar.

Salako saw his shot saved well low to his left by Burford, as Bay continued to get opportunities.

In time added on, Bexon kept his clean sheet and Herne Bay clinched all three points when he blocked a high shot from Townsend.

It was an excellent performance by Herne Bay, and we ended the day moving up to 15th place. This week, we have two away games to look forward to.

Herne Bay; Bexon, Hillier (Christie 62’), Parter, Friend, Carrington, Reid (Kuchkov 85‘), Haysman, E Smith, Salako, Rowland, Saunders.

Subs Unused; Bridle, Hill, Salmon
Sent Off; Friend (59’)
Yellow Cards; Saunders (79’)

Next Fixtures:
Tuesday 2nd December 19:45, away v Tonbridge Angels (Kent Senior Cup)
Saturday 7th December 15:00, away v Ashford United (Isthmian South East)