Duo grab doubles as Bay stretch their lead

Herne Bay HC

Matt Reeve and Adam Prebble both struck twice as Herne Bay men’s first XI beat BBHC4-1 to move four points clear at the top of Kent/sussex Regional 2.

Reeve gave Bay the perfect start, striking the ball well from the top of the D to put them ahead inside five minutes.

The same player doubled the lead, this time from much closer range, but when Will Thomas used his foot to stop a ball on the line BBHC wer awarded a flick which they converted.

Further chances followed before Bay finally made a short corner count thanks to Prebble.

Bay continued to dictate in the second half, producing some excellent play all over the pitch but they added just one goal when

Reeve’s close range shot bounced off the keeper into the path of man-ofthe-match Prebble.

Bay are away to Crawley on Saturday.

Herne Bay 5ths produced arguably Bay’s best performance of the season to beat Ashford 6ths 4-1 in Kent Open Division 4.

Scorers were Andrew Harrison, Clive Cripps, Jamie Newman and manof-the-match Joseph Richards, who just got the vote ahead of Andrew Harrison, who was impressive in midfield.

The result moved Bay up to fifth.

■ Jemma Edmunds scored the decisive goal as Herne Bay ladies handed King’s Alleyn’s their first defeat of the season in Kent Division 1.

The visitors arrived top of the league after five wins and a draw, but fell behind in an end-to-end first half when some strong play by Bay in the opposition D led to Edmunds opening the scoring.

King’s came out for the second half pushing for an equaliser but hard though they came at Bay the home side stood firm.

The visitors did find the net but the effort was disallowed for a stick tackle by the attacker.

Lisa Watson and Sophie Chalk shared the player-of-the-match award as Bay’s third win moved them up to seventh.

Bay travel to the new leaders, Gillingham Anchorians, on Saturday.

Herne Bay ladies’ 3rds also humbled the league leaders, beating Bromley & Beckenham 4ths 1-0 at home in Division 4 .

Bromley & Beckenham applied pressure from the start but Bay took advantage of a break with Roseanne Morgan surprising herself when she beat the keeper from the top of the D, having thought she was outside when she took the shot. Half-time brought a few shuffles in positioning and a change of kit as the original one looked similar to the opposition’s.

Bay spent much of the second half holding back the Brom/becks attacks led by Sam Mckinven, Sarah Symons, Diane Barton, player-ofthe-match Molly Veneer and keeper Mary Hyland, who made some outstanding saves.

Bay moved up to sixth with the victory – their third so far.

■ Herne Bay’s over-50 legends were beaten 5-1 after leading in their National Tier 2 cup derby against Canterbury.

Bay were seeking the first win of their cup campaign and it was clear from the off that the teams seemed evenly matched but Bay struck first blood when Paul Mcvey slotted home.

Canterbury then went on the offensive and despite the efforts of man-of-the-match Andy Marsh in goal they equalised just before halftime.

The second half was a different story and although Bay acquitted themselves well, Canterbury scored four times without reply to clinch victory.