Collecting a massive three points from Sevenoaks will not be easy, admits Halsey

Friday 12th March 2010

HERNE BAY boss Simon Halsey has warned his side not to expect an easy ride from fellow high-flyers Sevenoaks Town tomorrow, writes Stephen McCartney.

Herne Bay are chasing Bulmers Cider Kent League leaders Faversham Town and are 10 points behind Justin Luchford’s side, although they do have 3 games in hand.

Playing catch-up is never easy, nor is tomorrow’s home game against a Sevenoaks Town side that are sitting proudly in third place in the table.

“No-one’s going to come here and lie down, the same when teams go to Faversham, they’re not going to lie down,” Halsey told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“They’re the top club, we’re second. We were 14 games unbeaten up until last Saturday and everyone wants to come and beat you so we’ve got to make sure we’re organised, prepare ourselves right from now to Saturday and we’ll give them our utmost respect.

“Sevenoaks will get the same amount of respect that we gave Faversham.”

Faversham’s ten match winning run came to an end at Winch’s Field on Wednesday night, as Herne Bay took giant strides in reaching the Kent League Cup Final with a 3-1 first leg win.

Two own-goals, scored by defenders Ashley Brown and Dan Larkin, sent Herne Bay on their way and returning striker Stuart King added a third just before half-time.

Faversham brought on long-throw specilaist Craig Preston on at the break and their play during a one-sided second half was both ugly and predictable as Preston launched throw after throw into the Herne Bay penalty box.

They dealt with the tactic reasonably well, although Faversham pulled a goal back from a set-piece when substitute Steve O’Brien (playing his first game in a year) headed home Dan Larkin’s 75th minute free-kick.

Halsey refused to be drawn into the suggestion that their midweek win holds any physiological advantage in the Kent League title race.

“I’ve always said all along that these two legged semi-finals against Faversham have got no relevance on the league title at all,” said Halsey.

“It’s not playing for 3 points. Any Cup Final you get to is a bonus. It bares no relevance on the league is beating them.”

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s game against Simon Jones’ Sevenoaks Town, Halsey needs three points to heap the pressure on Faversham, who travel to bottom-of-the-table side Lordswood, a side that have improved under the guidance of Jason Lillis and John Guest (senior).

“First and foremost I’m worried about Sevenoaks Town now,” said the former Whitstable Town assistant manager.

“That is my bread and butter. That’s a massive three points to get on Saturday to make sure we keep in the race for the title and to get closer to Faversham.”

Visit Herne Bay’s website: www.hernebayfc.net

Herne Bay v Sevenoaks Town

Bulmers Cider Kent League

Saturday 13th March 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Winch’s Field, Stanley Gardens, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 5SG