Herne Bay: Harry Brooks, Sam German, Frankie Smith, Harrison Pont, Liam Friend, Kane Rowland (Sam Wright 75), Mo Kamara, Michael Salako, Danny Walder, Theo Osinfolarin, Jacob Gilbert. Subs not used: Jack Richard, Harry Brown, Daniel Carrington, Bola Dawodu.
Yellow cards: Friend, Rowland, Gilbert.

Cray Valley PM had reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup and the Second Round of the FA Trophy but after exiting both competitions they were now concentrating on catching up on their league fixtures. The Millers were one place above Bay in the table, on goal difference, but had played four less fixtures. They were the only unbeaten side in the league, with six wins and three draws from their nine outings. Meanwhile Bay had not lost in their last six league fixtures (two wins, four draws). It promised to be an exciting and entertaining clash.

As things turned out the match did not live up to its billing. Tom Hanfrey joined Herne Bay’s injury list with a hamstring problem and was replaced by Frankie Smith. The Millers were solid but would need to do much better in front of goal if they are to challenge for the league title. A goal down at the break Herne Bay came out for the second half looking more threatening and were perhaps unfortunate not to level things up.

Cray Valley PM used their wide play to great effect with Michael Ademiluyi and Kyrell Lisbie looking dangerous but too often failed to make their superior possession count. That was until the 20th minute when Lisbie brought down a cross from Thomas Chambers and lifted the ball over the advancing Harry Brooks. Valley went in search of a second but Ademiluyi and Lisbie both missed chances with Brooks doing enough to protect the Bay goal.

Meanwhile Herne Bay had their own opportunities; a ball in by Theo Osinfolarin was cleared to Harrison Pont who forced a save from Sam Freeman and when Kane Rowland was fouled by Chambers on the stroke of half-time Danny Walder stepped up and thundered his free-kick against the crossbar.

Bay were more industrious in the second period and on 53 Sam German’s cross appeared to become tangled between Mike Salako’s feet at close range and the chance passed by. Mo Kamara was having a great game in midfield driving forward and creating chances for Rowland and himself but that elusive leveller would just not come.

Valley huffed and puffed and Adam Coombes, Denzel Gayle and Julien Anau were close, but nowhere near close enough, with Brooks comfortable between the posts.

Smith’s shot, when set up by German, went over the bar. Five minutes into time added on there was an appeal for a Herne Bay penalty, which was adjudged by the man in the middle, Joseph Dann-Pye, to be just outside the box, probably correctly; well he had to get one decision right during the afternoon’s proceedings. Walder’s low free-kick was saved by Freeman.

Herne Bay’s unbeaten run came to an end and Cray Valley PM’s continued and not for the first time this season the immortal words were uttered ‘on another day’. Bay dropped down to ninth place, one position and three points above next opponents Chichester City, but following the turmoil and chaos of the previous campaign, and with a completely new management team and players coming in, Herne Bay were in a good place.