Victory keeps hopes alive

Herne Bay

Herne Bay took their promotion race to the final day of the South League Kent Division 2 season with a 4-1 win at Canterbury Millers. Bay had to win to maintain their hopes of overhauling Gore Court 2nds for runners-up spot and promotion along with champions Sevenoaks 3rds. Court completed their league campaign with a victory and it needed two goals from James Stevenson and one from Kriss White to help Bay win and ensure they go into their game in hand against Sevenoaks on Saturday within two points of the second and final promotion place. The Millers took advantage of an off-colour Bay to open the scoring 10 minutes before the break but Stevenson converted two short corners to turn the game with 15 minutes left and Sam Thompson then set up two more in the closing minutes as Millers tired. Bay 2nds remain top of Kent Open Premier B on goal difference but with a game in hand, after a 5-0 win against Holcombe 4ths. They led 4-0 at the break before easing up in the second half. Simon Newman-collins hit a hat-trick, Aaron White scored a deserved goal and Paul Mcvey got the other. The 3rds also lead the way in Division 1, despite seeing an eightmatch winning streak ended by a 3-0 loss at Sevenoaks 6ths. The visitors trailed 2-0 at half-time despite heroics from stand-in keeper Dave White who was beaten for a third time after the break. The 4ths remain third in Division 4 after a 1-0 win over K Sports. Bay laid siege to the visitors’ goal in spells but found a keeper in inspired form. The only goal arrived just before half-time from Paul Mcvey. Bay 5ths retained top spot in the same division after a 3-1 win at Maidstone 6ths. Steve Collins and an Adrian Hawkes short-corner double did the damage before a late consolation. Bay ladies dropped to third in Kent League Division 1 but stopped the rot after three losses with a 2-2 draw at home to Gillingham Anchorians. They led 2-1 at the break thanks to a double from Lucy Marks but despite bossing much of the second half, it was Anchs who snatched a leveller. The 2nds made it six games unbeaten in Division 4 to stay third after a 5-1 win at Faversham. Corey Devonport-hawkes (2), Gemma Cathcart, Amber Potter and Libby Fielder were on target with Bay having been locked at 1-1 at the break before a burst of three goals in 10 minutes. The 3rds remain top of Division 5 after a 4-1 win over Sevenoaks 7ths. Hannah Evans, Sarah Howard, Georgia Taylor and Sarah Wills were on target for the hosts.