Halsey expecting fierce Faversham Shield clash

The two sides meet at Salters Lane tomorrow and Halsey, who was speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, is expecting a competitive local derby.

After Faversham, Herne Bay make the short trip to fierce rivals Whitstable Town on Tuesday night, ahead of the big Kent League opener, at home to fellow much-fancied side Erith & Belvedere on 7 August.

“The games before it have all been about trying different formations and different players and the next two games going into the final week of pre-season I know where I am,” said Halsey.

“I will be fielding something not far off the team who I’m selecting, hopefully, for the starting game of the season.

“They are going to be (two) absolutely competitive (games), I can assure you of that.”

Halsey added: “Pre-season’s lovely, I just think the teams and players do things differently in any pre-season game. 

“As much as you get through to them about mental strength and about getting into winning ways, I still think players don’t - and they don’t do things quickly as they do in a competitive match-day, so I’m just looking forward to getting a good competitive game under our belt on Saturday.

Marc Seager, who was Halsey’s boss when the pair were together at Whitstable Town, is likely to return to the dug-out for Herne Bay’s next two pre-season games.

Halsey explained: “He was in the dug-out, I wouldn’t class him as assistant manager, but he was in the dug out, yes.

“He will be with me Saturday and Tuesday and see how he goes.  He’s trying to get himself back fit and play a bit of football and be around the football club, so we’ll see what happens from there.

“He’s doing the London Marathon next year, so he’s using every avenue he can to do as much as he can to keep his fitness up.  Football’s his love so all the time he can do some running and with the ball at he’s feet, he’ll be helping us.”

Herne Bay kick off their Safety Net Associates Kent League campaign with a tasty home clash against Erith & Belvedere.

“I’ve had them watched a couple of times in their pre-season so I know enough about them, so I will have done my homework by the 7^th and I’ll know exactly what they’re about, as I do know now,” said Halsey.

“Everyone keeps throwing our name around with Hythe and Erith & Belvedere as title favourites.  We just have to get the season underway and hopefully come away with three points and go from there.

“It will be a tough encounter for us as they have new faces, a new manager and new people at the club, so it will be a tight encounter.

“I’ll be treating (manager) Micky Collins and Erith & Belvedere with the utmost respect and hopefully if I’ve done my homework we’ll come away with three points.”

Simon Moore, Rhys Lawson and Steve Hanson could all miss out tomorrow and Halsey added: “It will be a good competitive game, it will, believe you me!

“I love playing Faversham, I love playing Hythe, I love playing Deal Town – all the places people hate going on a cold Tuesday night, I love going.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game

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

Faversham Town  v  Herne Bay
Kent League Challenge Shield
Saturday 31^st July 2010
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Salters Lane, Faversham, Kent ME13 8YD