Herne Bay United faced local rivals Invicta on Saturday evening in the national Premier league. United having lost their last league match against Middlesbrough were keen to get back to winning ways. Invicta (who are mainly made up of ex HBU players) started the game strongly and were unlucky not to go ahead. However as the first half wore on United raised their game and by half time HBU were 4-0 up.

Invicta began the second half strongly forcing a string of fine saves from United’s man of the match, goalkeeper Dave Garlick. They could not break through, once United had weathered the storm they lay siege to Invicta’s goal. By the end of the game United had added another 7 goals whilst conceding only 1 to run out comfortable 11-1 winners.

There was some confusion after the match as a goal which was initially awarded to HBU by one ref, but subsequently ruled out by the other ref was wrongly listed on the match sheet, thus showing a final score of 12-1. The error was not spotted by the time keepers, both referees and both captains who all signed the match sheet. However eagle eyed Invicta manager Ken Pughe, incensed by the injustice, pointed out the error. In the spirit of fair play HBU officials have written to the National Association asking that the official records are amended to reflect the correct score 11-1.

After the game HBU coach Phil said: “It was important we got back to winning ways immediately. We were far from our best but it was a marked improvement on our previous performance against Middlesbrough. The scoreline was irrelevant to me. Once the game was safe it was an ideal opportunity to try out different combinations of players and tactics in a game situation. Make no mistake Invicta are not a bad side. They are group of very skilful individuals and at times they caused us problems. The game was played in a good spirit between both sets of players which is good to see. Obviously there was a bit of furore with the scandal of the 12^th goal, the goal that never was. But both sets of players aquitted themselves well.

HBU Team: David Garlick (gk), Tom White, Dan Butcher (1), Joel de Figueiredo, Simon Hosking capt(5), Neil Austin (1), David Todd, Brendan Barker (2) Richard Walker.

RHC Invicta: J Carnell, P Dalton (gk), J Fidock (1), A Bowyer, S Fidock, R Carnell, M Tichband, L Holland, J Sheppard, J King,

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