I'm delighted we have Herne Bay first - it's a great opener, says Beckenham Town boss Jason Huntley

HERNE BAY boss Simon Halsey says it’s a big season for the club as they bid to clinch a much-awaited promotion into the Ryman League, writes Stephen McCartney.


The Winch’s Field outfit have finished as runners-up to Faversham Town and Hythe Town in the past two seasons and winning back-to-back Kent League Cup titles is little consolation for supporters.

Herne Bay are favourites to land the Kent Hurlimann Football League title and with a new chairman at the helm, Halsey admits he is under pressure to deliver promotion.

The Kent coast club are unbeaten in pre-season and they clinched the Kent League Challenge Shield after beating Hythe Town 5-4 on penalties after the game finished all-square at 2-2 after 90 minutes last Saturday.

“We want to keep the winning momentum going,” said Halsey, ahead of the opening game at Beckenham Town tomorrow.

“It’s been 27 games since we’ve lost.  It’s a great record and we just need to keep it going.”

Halsey admitted the heat is on to land promotion, with Trevor Kennett the new man at the helm.

He said: “He’s a good chairman so was John (Bathurst), but we’re taking a different step in where we’re going now.  He wants a bit more from us now.  We haven’t broken the bank with the budget that everyone thinks.  We’ve managed to nibble a bit more out of him to make sure I keep the best players I’ve got.”

Beckenham Town boss, Jason Huntley, meanwhile, shrugged off his side’s indifferent pre-season and insists his side will be ready tomorrow.

“I’m completely satisfied we are fully prepared for the start of the season,” Huntley told www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk.

“In our last game against Conference South side Welling United, it showed that we were getting there and that we are not far away from being a good side.

“I’m delighted we have Herne Bay first – it’s a great opener – arguably the Kent League’s match-of-the-day. 
“We have already seen some fantastic football played here.  AFC Wimbledon especially were really great – it’s whetted our appetite for the start of the new season.”

Amongst the new faces in Beckenham’s line up are French pair Elstrom Die (a winger) and defender Makan Fofana, who have both arrived from Erith Town.

Nathan Paul (Maidstone United) and Harry Draper (Greenwich Borough) have also signed for the Eden Park Avenue club.

Also returning for the club are Ibrahim Fusini and from long-term injury Jason Rose.

But Huntley will be without Danny McKone and Joe Jackson, who are both injured.

Visit Beckenham Town’s website: www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk  

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

Beckenham Town  v  Herne Bay
Kent Hurlimann Football League
Saturday 13^th August 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Eden Park Avenue, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3JL

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