Everyone's putting expectation on my young players shoulders, says Herne Bay boss Simon Halsey

Monday 06th September 2010

HERNE BAY boss Simon Halsey says its down to Steve Northwood whether the goalkeeper stays at Winch’s Field, writes Stephen McCartney.

The 33-year-old opted to leave Ryman League Division One North side Thamesmead Town after losing his place to Sam Mott at the start of the season and short spells at two Ryman League Division One South clubs, Sittingbourne (where he played just the one game) and Dulwich Hamlet (training) followed, before he signed for the Bay for an initial four game period.

Saturday’s 2-2 top-of-the-table draw away to Hythe Town was Northwood’s third game in between the sticks, coming in as a replacement for Dan Eason.

“Steve’s here because Dan Eason was on holiday, he’s got a five day break, which I knew about so I had to get a goalie in,” explained Halsey, when speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk following the quality Kent League game at Reachfields Stadium.

“With Dan getting his injury against Beckenham he came a little bit earlier than I was expecting. I had to make a few phone calls very quickly and managed to get Steve on board.

“We’ve got an understanding, he’s not on loan from anywhere, he’s going to play a minimum of four games and after that if he’s doing the business and no-other Ryman club’s come in for him (then he will stay here).

“He’s a Ryman player from last season, number one at Thamesmead, so being a player who wants to play at a higher level, so after these initial four games if a Ryman club is looking at him and it’s right for him and Dan’s back fit and then we’ll discuss that.

“But at the moment he’s a Herne Bay player and he will be until that time so if he’s doing the business for me then Dan’s got to get his place back.”

Herne Bay remain at the top of the Kent League table with 8 points from 5 games - one point ahead of Hythe who have a game in hand.

“Oi, oi, considering everyone’s saying we’re stuttering and spluttering and not going, I’m not too fussed, it can only bode well and we are doing the right things now, which we wasn’t doing,” said Halsey.

“Players are starting to learn, we’ve got a few new faces around the club so everyone’s saying Herne Bay this, but 8 points, sitting top and a manager, of course I’m happy, but it’s what happens in April, which matters really.”

Halsey’s side finished as runners-up to Faversham Town last season and he wants his side to be in pole position and not playing catch up.

He said: “We had Faversham early in the season last year, twice really early and we played what people classed as title deciders early in the season and Faversham done us both times and got away early so it was very important we didn’t let that happen (against Hythe).

But Halsey warned that his side may not be able to cope with the expectation put upon them.

“It’s a bit of a hamper for us because I think everywhere you go people are saying ‘Herne Bay this and Herne Bay that’ and the lads are still only five or six months older than they were when the season finished last year so I think it’s a lot to put on their shoulders, not by just our club but they see it all over the websites and forums so there’s a lot for the lads at their young age to carry.”

Halsey predicted the sides that will be challenging for the Kent League title next April.

He said: “We’ll be there, Hythe will be there, Erith & Belvedere will be there, Greenwich will be there and most probably Beckenham and that’s no disrespect to anybody else in the league. If they get amongst that lot then fair play to them but I think there will be five or six pushing this season.”

Herne Bay are next in action on Wednesday 15 September at Winch’s Field in the landlords-versus-tenants clash with Norton Sports.

“It will be pretty much the same as today (at Hythe), it will be hectic, blood and guts, tackles flying in, pretty much like today, so as long as we keep disciplined and we do the right things when we do get the ball, we’ll be fine,” said Halsey.

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