It's a derby game anything can happen, says Herne Bay boss Sam Denly

The Bay are in sixteenth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table after winning one and drawing two of their opening four league games.

Herne Bay face two big derby games over the August Bank Holiday weekend, starting with a home game against Faversham Town on Saturday, before making the trip to bitter-rivals Whitstable Town on Bank Holiday Monday (3pm).

Reflecting on his first four games in charge of Herne Bay, Denly, 29, said: “It’s been good to be fair. We started off well pre-season. It’s been long and the boys have been working hard.

“We’ve had some decent performances.  I was disappointed to lose 1-0 to Guernsey, but since then it’s been excellent. We’ve drawn two games, Tooting & Mitcham and Worthing and they were both games we should have won and Tuesday night against Folkestone was another decent performance we’ve got our first win.

“There’s a lot of positives to be honest,” added Denly. “We’re a decent young side and we’re building for the future and already we’ve gelled and looking like a formidable force.

“We’re very pleased and we go into Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday’s games full of confidence.”

When asked whether he is pleased with his side’s start to the new season, Denly replied, “I’d probably took that at the beginning of the season to be honest. One defeat, we’re unbeaten in three.

“We went away to Tooting on a Tuesday night and then away to Worthing and they’re two games we should have won. That shows how far we’ve come already in a short space of time.

“We’re playing some good football and you take a point away from home. On the day we know we should have got three points out of the game.

Reflecting on their 2-1 win over Folkestone Invicta at Winch’s Field on Tuesday night, Denly said: “We were confident we could get something out of it against a decent Folkestone side and we came away with a win.

“I feel we should have more points on the board but I’ll take that. We go into Saturday’s game against Faversham on a high after Tuesday night’s performance and we’re looking to get something out of the game.”

Ray Turner’s Lilywhites arrive at Winch’s Field sitting in eleventh-place in the table, with a 50% success rate from their opening four games.

“It’s a derby game, anything can happen,” said Denly.

“I’m sure they’ll be a decent crowd there. Faversham are a decent side, but we’re a decent side as well.

“I expect it to be a fiery encounter. We go into the game full of confidence and we’re looking to get something out of it.  We’re going there to take three points and if we can turn up and play the way we can play we’re very capable of doing it.”

Denly then takes his side to bitter-rivals Whitstable Town on Monday afternoon (3pm).

Nicky Southall’s side are currently one place higher than Bay and both clubs are looking forward to the Belmont bash.

Denly said: “Massive game!  There’s a big of a rivalry there, has been for a long time.  It’s a game everyone’s got an eye on and all the local fans are there.  It’s a massive game but as I’ve said to all the lads, all the games are massive games.

“We’ve been preparing for that game like any other. The lads have got to embrace the occasion and play in front of a massive crowd.

“Come Monday we’ll be ready for the challenge and we’ll be looking to go there and get three points. 

“We’re a good side. Whitstable will be hard to break down and will be a strong decent side with Nicky Southall in charge there.

“I’m confident with the players I’ve got we can go there and get a result.”

Denly says he’s enjoying his first spell in charge at this level.

He said: “I’m enjoying it. It’s a different role for me now and I’m relishing the challenge. I know the players that played for me and they’re respecting me and taking notice of what I want them to do. At the moment it’s working.

“It’s not going to be easy. I’ve done my coaching and been captain at cricket so I know what it’s like to lead people and people listen to what I say. I’m enjoying the challenge.”

Meanwhile, Ryman League clubs must play 46 league games this season.

“It’s a lot of football to be played this year and every point is vital,” said Denly.

“It’s not a bad start. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. We’ve got a lot of football to be played throughout the season and picking up points is vital as you go through the season.

“We’ve got a big squad and everyone’s got to play their part.”

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

Herne Bay  v  Faversham Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 24^th August 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Winch’s Field, Stanley Gardens, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 5SG