Herne Bay boss Kevin Watson dedicates 3-0 Isthmian Premier win over Horsham to Kymani Thomas with more than £1,100 raised to support the injured striker

Manager Kevin Watson dedicated Herne Bay’s much-needed win over Horsham to injured striker Kymani Thomas.

The sides met on Tuesday at Winch’s Field for their rearranged Isthmian Premier encounter. A second-half strike from midfielder Jack Sammoutis and substitute Daniel Ogunleye’s brace guided the relegation-threatened hosts to a 3-0 triumph.

Horsham were 2-0 ahead last month but that game was abandoned after youngster Thomas suffered a horror injury.

On the result, Watson said: “I can’t deny that we’re delighted. It has felt a long time coming, I suppose.

“With the abandonment of the game before, there was probably a bit of emotion involved on Tuesday, but I felt we turned that into positive energy.

“I suppose that result is for Kymani more than anything.

“I would have sacrificed three points at any stage of any season for the lad not to get injured.

“But after that event, then it’s done and these are important points for us.”

It was free entry to watch as the club aimed to get donations from fans to help Thomas’ recovery.

Overall, more than £1,100 was raised after the Hornets themselves contributed funds from their own collection at another recent match towards the cause.

Watson said: “I’ve got the utmost respect for Horsham.

"They did their own collection for him so that was a really nice gesture from them.

“But it’s a really important result for us. We can keep going, we’ve set some targets and we’ll see where it takes us.”

Bay were forced into a substitution inside the first three minutes of the second half, which proved key. David Ozobia suffered a knee injury and was replaced by midfielder Michael West.

It was West’s strike which was saved by keeper Taylor Seymour before Sammoutis converted the rebound.

“I’m aware