Bay close gap on rivals

Bostik South East

Herne Bay dragged themselves closer to the pack in Bostik South East with another crucial win on Saturday.

They came from 2-0 down to beat fellow strugglers Sittingbourne 3-2 at Woodstock Park and are now only two points adrift at the bottom.

The Brickies went in front after six minutes when Simon Overland misjudged a long ball and David Smith nipped in to lob him.

Things got worse for Bay when Gillingham loanee Henry Woods doubled Sittingbourne’s lead with a fine low strike from 25 yards.

But when substitute Ronald Sobowale was brought down in the Bourne box, Jake Embery sent Patrick Lee the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Only three good saves from Lee prevented Bay from going in level at half-time but Sobowale scored a wonder goal to equalise eight minutes into the second half.

He picked up the ball on the halfway line and took on half the Sittingbourne side singlehandedly before smashing the ball into the net.

Five minutes from time Herne Bay scored the winner. Ben Gorham headed Tom Carlton’s free-kick into the danger zone and when Lex Allan failed to clear his lines, Connor Wilkins drove the ball in from closerange.

Bay now have Faversham Town in their sights after the Lilywhites were beaten twice over the festive period.

They lost 4-0 at home to Ashford on Boxing Day, with Usman Adeniji netting a hat-trick for Tommy Warrilow’s side.

Danny Parish completed the rout late on and Faversham then lost 1-0 at Ramsgate on Saturday.

Missed chances came back to haunt Town, who were sunk by a Jake Mackenzie strike in the 69th minute.

Ramsgate had lost 1- 0 to Whitstable on Boxing Day, a Stephen Smith strike enough to hand Scott Porter’s side victory at the Belmont.

George Crimmen had just denied Smith with a great block when the Town striker flicked a header past Luke Watkins from a Chris Elliott long throw.

However, the Oystermen were beaten 2-0 by Hythe when Porter returned to Reachfields on Saturday.

Zak Ansah gave the home side a fifth-minute lead before Whitstable had Smith sent off.

James Morrish, a former Hythe player, also saw red in the second half and Kieron Campbell scored at the death.

Porter’s side have won just one of their last six league games.