Anderson’s quick impact Bostik round-up

Tahjae Anderson scored a hattrick as Herne Bay beat Three Bridges 5-1 to make it successive wins in the Bostik South East.

The striker made a sparkling impression after being drafted in from the under-23s to help his side move one point clear of the relegation zone in 17th and level on 26 points with three other clubs.

Anderson broke the deadlock early on when he pounced on a defensive lapse to snatch the ball and calmly slot beyond the hosts’ goalkeeper James Shaw.

Bridges responded well to going behind and came close to an equaliser shortly after as Bay shot-stopper Simon Overland was forced into a great save from Raphe Brown’s deflected header.

Their persistence eventually paid off after 30 minutes as defending a corner transitioned into attack in an instant, with Ibby Akanbi latching onto a long ball before taking full advantage of a one-on-one with Overland.

Ronald Sobowale restored Bay’s lead shortly after the interval by capping his solo run between four defenders with a clinical finish into Shaw’s net.

Anderson doubled his tally and extended his side’s advantage three minutes later when he rose to re-direct Brown’s cross with a goal-bound header.

Harry Miller later capitalised on Bridges’ failure to clear a corner with a low strike into the far corner for 4-1, before Anderson completed his treble with a simple tap-in after another mazy run from Sobowale.

Next up for Bay is a vital clash with 18th-placed Whitstable Town, who are also currently on 26 points but with a game in hand.

Whitstable are nine games without a win after losing 3-0 at home to Horsham .There were only about 15 seconds left when Chris Smith shot past Dan Eason to put the visitors ahead.

Whitstable did create a few opportunities in the first 20 minutes. Stuart West almost got his head to a Louis Sprosen free kick and there were several other set pieces that were well defended, but Horsham always looked more threatening at the other end.

Lee Harding volleyed home at the far post to make it 2-0 after Eason had parried a Smith shot and it was all over just before the break when West handled a shot in the box and Smith dispatched the penalty kick.

Faversham Town, meanwhile, put back-to-back league defeats behind them with a 1-0 win over Whyteleafe thanks to a goal from Ashley Miller on the stroke of half-time.

The victory moves Town two points above 14th-placed Bridges and four behind East Grinstead Town.

Miller’s goal capped his 50th appearance for the Lilywhites since his arrival from Hythe Town in 2017.

The former Gillingham forward now has 13 goals across all competitions, including 11 in 30 outings so far this campaign.

The Lilywhites face Sittingbourne this weekend. v Faversham Strike Force, Borden Village v Kings Hill, Farnborough OBG v Crockenhill, Otford v Fleetdown, Peckham v Metrogas, Stansfeld v New Romney, Tudor Sports v Hawkinge. Division 1 Central & East: Burgess Hodgson v Wateringbury, Hollands & Blair Res v Lydd Res, Lordswood Res v Guru Nanak, Margate Sports v Cuxton 91, Rochester City v Ramsgate Res. Division 2 Central & East: Bearsted Res v Ashford, Faversham Res v Margate Sports Res, Southborough v Tonbridge Invicta. Division 3 Central & East: New Romney Res v Rochester City Res, Paddock Wood v University Of Kent, Staplehurst Res v Sturry. Eastern Section Les Leckie Cup: West Farleigh v Rusthall Res. Kent Junior Cup Group A: Canterbury City University v Red Velvet, Tenterden v Mackland Arms. HERNE BAY & WHITSTABLE SUNDAY

LEAGUE Premier Division Rising Sun .... 12 10 1 1 43 11 31 Monument .... 11 9 1 1 48 11 28 Chislet Coll ... 11 7 2 2 35 19 23 Tank Ryls...... 13 7 2 4 31 27 23 Chartham...... 13 5 2 6 25 33 17 Wingham ...... 10 4 3 3 29 25 15 Waterfront .... 13 4 1 8 29 42 13 Crusaders ..... 12 2 3 7 19 34 9 Hampton....... 15 2 2 11 29 57 8 Chilham ........ 12 1 3 8 22 51 6

Division 1

Littlebourne .. 11 10 0 1 62 19 30 Monument Res14 6 4 4 32 33 22 Faversham S F12 7 0 5 29 23 21 A1 Tyres ....... 12 6 2 4 37 41 20 Blean............ 13 5 2 6 29 38 17 Oare ............. 10 4 3 3 32 19 15 Woodmans Hall12 4 3 5 27 29 15 Heron Ath........ 9 4 2 3 27 23 14 The Elephant... 9 4 0 5 24 28 12 City Lions...... 14 3 2 9 22 34 11 Faversham Utd12 1 2 9 26 60 5

Division 2

Monument A . 11 11 0 0 48 14 33 C’bury Toon .. 11 7 1 3 37 27 22 Herne Bay Ath13 6 3 4 38 24 21 Whitstable O B14 6 2 6 47 47 20 The Druids.... 11 6 1 4 30 24 19 The Heron..... 12 4 1 7 19 44 13 Tankerton ....... 9 4 0 5 25 20 12 Northgate Rgrs12 2 0 10 10 37 6 Bay United .... 11 1 2 8 18 35 5