Bay back on form and up to third

Herne Bay

Herne Bay returned to form with an 8-2 win over South League Kent Division 2’s winless basement-boys Old Bordenian 3rds. Bay moved back up to third thanks to four goals from James Bray, three from Kriss White and a Peter Nash single. The 2nds made it six games unbeaten and moved up to third in Kent Open Premier B courtesy of a Paul Mcvey hat-trick. Mcvey scored all three in the 3-1 success against Sevenoaks 5ths, who took the lead. Mcvey turned it around before the break with a double and completed the scoring after halftime. Bay 3rds recorded their eighth straight victory with an 8-2 win over Maidstone 4ths to stay second in Kent Open Division 1. The visitors were 2-0 up inside 10 minutes through James Nash and Lee Gardener but Maidstone halved the deficit from a short corner. Nash restored the two-goal lead and Gardener made it 4-1 at the break, with the pattern of the first half repeated after half-time with Matt Newman and Nash making it 6-1. Adam Foster added the seventh and although the hosts added their second, the final say went to Nash who scored four for the second week running. Bay: Ullyett, Williams, Barton, Pout, Newell, Jeays, Fielder, Bennett, Foster, Stevens, Newman, Nash. Bay 4ths started strongly against second-placed Folkestone 7ths in Division 4, knowing only a win would keep their promotion hopes alive. It looked as though Folkestone’s strong physical presence would cause problems but Bay dealt with it well and some neat play saw Sammy Watson open the scoring. Bay extended their lead with a fine strike from Tom White before Folkestone pulled one back just before half-time. Bay continued to press with man-of-the-match Lewis Quirke dominating midfield and further goals from Watson and White put Bay in control. Further drama was supplied when Bay keeper Jack Davis produced an excellent save from a penalty flick, although as he celebrated, the ball spun back and trickled over the line. There was just enough time for Ash Horwell to add a fifth before the final whistle saw the game end 5-2 as Bay made it five games unbeaten and moved up to third. Bay: Davis, Wright, Bates, Marsh, Lunn, Horwell, Quirke, Newman, Watson, Forbes, Cripps, White. Bay Ladies remain third in Kent League Division 1 after a 3-0 win at Tunbridge Wells 3rds. Bay got the scoring underway thanks to Lucy Marks who slotted past the home keeper, although the first half continued end-to-end with neither team getting the results they were looking for. Wells started the second half well with Rebecca Mackinnon producing some saves and only expert defending by man-of-the-match Christina Nash managing to keep the ball out. It was not until the last five minutes that Bay finally got a second goal thanks to a penalty corner that was scored by Rachel Gentry. Two minutes later, Sophie Buchanan found herself in the attacking circle to complete the scoring. Bay: Mackinnon, Marks, Nash, Wong, Coffey, Buchanan, Gentry, Mason, Watson, Godden, Forwood, Gasson.