It will be a great opener to the season, anticipates Herne Bay boss Simon Halsey

Thursday 05th August 2010

THE Safety Net Associates Kent League campaign gets underway on Saturday with a tasty clash at Winch’s Field between last season’s runners-up Herne Bay and Erith & Belvedere, writes Stephen McCartney.

Herne Bay go into the game on the back of four draws and two defeats from their six pre-season games, but their performance away to bitter-rivals Whitstable Town in midweek has warmed the heart of their manager.

Simon Halsey told www.kentishfootball.co.uk ahead of the opening day crunch game that their game against Whitstable has kicked his side into shape.

“Pre-season has been indifferent, up and down, but I’m pleased with the other night,” he said.

When asked whether the competitive friendly against Whitstable was the best his side have played, Halsey agreed, adding, “Yes, absolutely! The other games in pre-season we’ve been doing it sporadically, inconsistently, but as I said to you before, I had 90 minutes to nail my pre-season and to be fair to the lads we pretty much did that on Tuesday night.

“We lost on penalties, obviously, but one-all was a fair reflection on the game.

“I thought it was a great game of football. It had a little bit of an edge to it, which I was hoping for at the Faversham game being a bit of a local derby, but both teams actually played some good football.”

No-one likes losing derby games and players are always “up for it” in these type of games.

“I just think sometimes that being “up for it” can take players over the top in how they play, but I was very pleased with the mentality of my lads,” said Halsey.

“They didn’t get involved with any shenanigans, there were a few fierce tackles going into my players but they didn’t get involved in it and just carried on playing football and that resulted in our first goal, which was a great, great footballing move.”

Returning to his previous club was special, but Halsey wants to join the Oystermen in the Ryman League.

“I like to go back and see Tony Rouse and Joe Brownett and everyone else on the committee, which was great, but what’s happened is history now and I have got to achieve, make sure Herne Bay can get somewhere like Whitstable have over the last four or five years,” said Halsey.

All attention now turns to Saturday’s mouth-watering clash against Micky Collins’ Erith & Belvedere, and if this game fails to attract a crowd of 200 then there must be something wrong with people - as these two sides play attractive football that would be more suited to the Ryman Premier League.

Halsey said: “It’s a big opening game, I’m looking forward to it as well.

“To win the league you’ve got to play all the teams, it doesn’t matter what order they come in. I’ve done my homework on them, had them watched a couple of times, so I think I know what I’m doing on Saturday, so roll on Saturday!

“They will get the utmost respect that they deserve and they will be made more than welcome down the ground - hopefully at a quarter-to-five we’ll be the ones with the three points!

“Seeing the players that Micky Collins has taken down there now I’m hoping it will be a good footballing game because anyone who knows myself and Herne Bay know we play football and I’m sure the players Micky has got down there they will be looking to play football as well.

“Hopefully it will be a great, great opener for the start of the season!”

Halsey hopes to sign defender Tom Bryant after training tonight and he has high hopes for the former Tonbridge Angels player, who signed for Ashford Town last month following his surprise departure from Longmead Stadium.

“Tom’s a good lad and has slotted in lovely,” praised Halsey. “He’s a typical centre half that I like. He can head the ball, he’s strong in his tackle but also when he gets the ball he likes to play, which is the centre half I want, a centre half who when he’s got the time can put his foot on the ball and pass it well, not just smashing it into corners and let others run onto it.”

“Tom’s training with us tonight. I’ve had a good chat with him and I’m hoping this evening Tom will officially be a Herne Bay player.”

If he does sign, Bryant will be handed his debut against the Deres, but match fitness might be a problem as Ashford Town didn’t play any pre-season friendlies due to their FA suspension.

“Obviously that’s all his lacking, his match fitness,” explained Halsey. “He’s a fit lad anyway, his job during the day is something to do with some sports college so he’s generally fit but just where’s Ashford haven’t played any matches, he’s not match fit at the moment but there’s no problems with him starting on Saturday.”

With midfield maestro Darren Marsden - arguably the most gifted player in the Kent League last season - now signed for Ryman Premier League side Margate, following an unsuccessful trial with Blue Square Bet South side Welling United - Halsey has found a replacement in Jimmy Corbett.

“Jim’s signed and he will be in the squad on Saturday,” revealed Halsey. “He was outstanding on Tuesday night, absolutely outstanding! After losing Marzo he’s on the same level as Marzo once he gets his match fitness. The one thing for us is he releases the ball quicker.

“As a manager of Herne Bay Football Club I’m disappointed to have lost him as a footballer but as I know Darren as well out of football as a person as well, I’m absolutely pleased for him that he’s playing at a better level of football.”

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

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

Herne Bay v Erith & Belvedere

Safety Net Associates Kent League

Saturday 7th August 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Safety Net Stadium, Winch’s Field, Stanley Gardens, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 5SG