Defeat hits top four bid

Herne Bay

Herne Bay suffered a 3-1 defeat at already-promoted Folkestone 2nds in South League Kent Division 2. Bay were seeking to climb into the top four but fell 2-0 down early on before James Bray pulled one back before the break. Despite their best efforts, Bay couldn’t find an equaliser and it was the hosts who added the final goal in their penultimate game. Bay 2nds’ promotion push in Kent Open Premier B will go to the final day after they were handed a walkover by Gore Court 4ths. Their final match on April 2 is at Marden Russets 2nds, with Bay sat third, a point behind Sevenoaks 5ths and two ahead of Tunbridge Wells 3rds, although with a superior goal difference to both. The 3rds remain unbeaten in 2016 and recorded a 10th straight win in Kent Open Division 1 after beating BBHC 3rds 4-3. The prolific James Nash opened the scoring for Bay but during a frantic 10-minute spell, the hosts netted twice to turn the game, only for Lee Gardener to level and Matt Newman to follow-in a short corner to restore Bay’s advantage. BBHC made it 3-3 after the turnaround but Adam Stevens struck the winner 15 minutes from time. A win in their final game at home to Marden on April 2 will see Bay promoted as runners-up. The 4ths were caught cold by two early goals to go down 2-0 to Cobdown 2nds in Kent Open Division 4. The visitors netted twice in the opening 15 minutes and although Bay won a host of short corners, they could not breach a determined Cobdown defence. Bay’s slim hopes of promotion rest on them thrashing champions Holcombe 6ths in their final game on April 2. Herne Bay Ladies’ Kent League Division 1 season ended on a low note as visiting Sevenoaks Acorns were unable to raise a side. The 4-0 walkover win left Bay in third in their first season after promotion. The 2nds finished 6th in Division 4 after a 4-0 success at New Beccehamian 3rds in their final game. Gemma Cathcart scored twice to make it a team-high nine for the season with Mary Hyndland and Magalie Mueller also on the mark.