I'm expecting a hard fought local derby against Faversham, says Herne Bay boss Sam Denly

HERNE BAY manager Sam Denly says he wants to forget about talking about the weather and concentrate on returning to action with three points against Faversham Town on Tuesday night.

The Bay have played only two games in 2014 thanks to the wettest January on record – losing 5-1 at Ramsgate on 11 January, before going down to a 1-0 loss down at Hastings United nine days later.

The club have suffered more than all of the other Kent sides and last played a home game at Winch’s Field on 14 December 2013, when Tooting & Mitcham United were beaten 3-1.

Herne Bay travel to Salters Lane sitting in fourteenth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table, with 31 points from 25 games.

The Lilywhites are in ninth-place in the table, with 44 points from 28 games, three points behind fifth-placed Folkestone Invicta, who welcome Ramsgate to Cheriton Road.

“Looking forward to the game and I’m hoping the weather is good to us between now and tomorrow night so the game can get the go-ahead and we can finally get back to playing some football,” said a frustrated Denly.

“I’m expecting a hard fought local derby against a strong, experienced Faversham outfit, but I’m mainly focused on what we will be doing and how we execute our game plan against them.

“We have been working hard at training since the weather has hit. The weather hasn’t been ideal but we have trained well and kept the lads sharp and are prepared once we start playing again.

“It is obviously not ideal having so many games postponed but we will not let that be an excuse. Instead we have been putting the hours in and making sure we’re focused and ready to go come our next game of football.

“All clubs are in the same boat with regards to lack of football, some worse than others and it obviously doesn’t help but we have done all we can to keep fit and work on our game structures and plans to give us the best chance of success through what are not ideal times.

“Everyone would probably agree there has been enough talking due to weather etc, so we are all hoping for a decent crowd tomorrow night so players, management, club officials and supporters can finally be involved in and get to watch a game of football between two decent local teams.”

Visit Herne Bay’s website:  www.pitchero.com/clubs/hernebay

Faversham Town  v  Herne Bay
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 4^th February 2014
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Salters Lane, Faversham, Kent ME13 8ND