Bay sunk by early goals Bostik League CANTERBURY CITY: MANAGER SMITH ADMITS POST-MATCH REACTION WAS A LITTLE HARSH

Ben Smith admitted he may have been a bit harsh to criticise his players after Saturday’s 1-0 home home win over Glebe at Salters Lane. City were already leading through Kane Phillip’s early excellent individual goal when the visitors were reduced to 10, but the hosts were unable to make their numerical advantage count. Manager Smith revealed that he was heavily critical of the players afterwards but acknowledged that on reflection he may have been a bit hasty. He explained: “I tore into them after the game, I thought we were sloppy in the second half, the players looked like they were going through the motions, expecting to win rather than sticking the nail in. “I was disappointed but in hindsight I was a probably a bit harsh, I don’t think I realised just how bad the conditions were because when you’re in the dugout you’re a bit sheltered.” City gave a debut to former Faversham striker Dean Grant – back at the club for a second spell – and it was his Herne Bay’s appalling home record continued on Saturday when they were thrashed 5-2 by East Grinstead.

They’ve failed to take a single point from eight South East Division games at Winch’s Field and have now conceded 25 goals on their own patch.

Greg Cundle smashed home the opener on eight minutes when Bay failed to clear a corner.

It was 2-0 when Cundle scored with a low drive from 20 yards and Ryan Johnson quickly added a third from close range.

Things got even worse for Herne Bay on 24 minutes when the unmarked Leo Mazzone took aim from inside the box and despite attempts to block the shot, it deflected off James White and beat Simon Overland at the near post.

Overland made two good saves before half-time as East Grinstead created chances at will.

Herne Bay finally got themselves on the scoresheet just after the hour when Tom Carlton was brought down in the box and Jake Embery blasted the penalty wide of Wasps keeper Sheikh Ceesay.

The four- goal deficit was restored when Jacob Hutchinson tapped home although Embery doubled his tally with a volley into the top corner 15 minutes from time.

Faversham Town were 2-0 up at Phoenix Sports with 12 minutes to go but they only came away with a point.

In driving wind and rain, Harry Goodger gave the visitors the lead with a low shot from the edge of the box just before halftime.

Faversham doubled their advantage on 77 minutes when Phoenix failed to clear a cross from the left and Luke Griffiths’ shot went straight through goalkeeper Steve Phillips.

However, the home side hit back straight away courtesy of Alex Teniola’a close-range header.

And three minutes from time Lee Bird powered a header into the far corner to deny the Lilywhites a precious victory.

Whitstable Town flew to Guernsey missing several key players but still managed to return with a 1-1 draw.

Jordan Wright put the Oystermen ahead from a corner in the 27th minute.

The home side fought hard to find a way back into the game but Whitstable kept them out until late in the game.

The referee pointed to the spot for a foul on Paris Pereira, eight minutes from time, and Matt Loaring made it 1-1.

It stayed that way despite some late pressure on Dan Eason’s goal as Town held on to end their three-match losing streak.