I wouldn't say we're the favorites - Halsey

Thursday 04th March 2010

HERNE BAY boss Simon Halsey takes his side to Oakley Road on Saturday with all thoughts of clinching the treble at the back of his mind, writes Stephen McCartney.

It’s a crucial week for the Winch’s Field outfit. On Saturday they travel to play Greenwich Borough in the semi-finals of the Kent Senior Trophy, before welcoming league leaders Faversham Town in the first leg of the Kent League Cup next Wednesday.

A convincing 4-1 win at Deal Town in midweek has also taken the club to within ten points of Faversham - with three games in hand.

Herne Bay go into their make-or-break week of cup football on the back of a thirteen match unbeaten run (12 of those games have been won).

Two weeks ago, Herne Bay defeated Greenwich Borough in the league by a single goal, courtesy of a Simon Moore penalty, although Mark Sisson saw his 30th minute penalty saved by Herne Bay keeper Dan Eason.

But all hell broke loose in the 75th minute following a confrontation between Herne Bay’s Michael Jenner and Boro’s Frankie Warren, which turned the game into a farce with all 22 players, plus substitutes, allegedly attacking each other, resulting in 4 dismissals and 2 further bookings, bringing the total to 7 bookings on the day.

Greenwich Borough finished the game with eight men on the pitch, but Halsey, when speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk today insists Saturday’s game will be a lot calmer.

“We won 1-0, a bit of a scrappy game,” he recalled. “We started off well and went 1-0 up and then they got hold of the game and caused us a few problems with their three in the mid-park.

“But we weathered the storm and nearer the end of the game there was a bit of a melee between both teams.

“They’re a bit of a footballing side and to be fair our pitch on that day didn’t suit them or us so I’m looking forward to going up to their ground because I know the pitch is lovely and two footballing sides who can play, so it’s a recipe of a great game.”

Herne Bay go into the semi-final showdown full of beans, having come away from Deal Town with a 4-1 win under their belts to keep the pressure on leaders Faversham Town.

“We went down to Deal on a Tuesday night, which isn’t a nice trip anytime of the year,” said Halsey, who added, “I enjoy going down there, don’t get me wrong. I just mean the trip isn’t nice.

“We’ve gone down there and we’ve won 4-1, which I think is quite a comprehensive win down at Deal to be honest.

“We didn’t play to our full potential for the whole 90 minutes. We had a good 20-25 minutes at the beginning and a good 20-25 minute spell at the end.

“As a manager there were things I weren’t happy with but I’ve got to be honest, that’s a great win to go down there and win 4-1 on a Tuesday night.

“I’ve looked at their fixtures and there’s not been a team that’s put three past them so I’m very pleased.”

Halsey handed Deal defender Josh Davidson, who broke his leg against Sevenoaks Town last month, a welcomed financial contribution, as he and his squad donated their expenses (against Greenwich Borough) to the stricken player.

“My sixteen players, and myself, donated all of our expenses to Josh,” revealed Halsey.

“Sometimes we all want to win for 90 minutes but there’s other things besides football. When a young lad like himself I think it’s great for the whole of the Kent League to chip in and send a few dollars down to him to make sure he’s ok.”

Firing on three fronts, Halsey denied his side were favourites to reach the Kent Senior Trophy final against either Faversham Town or Deal Town.

“I’ve sat all my players down after training and tried to install into them that for a young squad we’re at a time when they may not in their whole careers get the chance to be in two cup finals and in with a shout of the league,” said Halsey.

“I’m not sitting here saying we’re doing the treble but what I’m trying to get through to them is players may not go through their whole careers and not get a sniff of a final or play for a team that could possibly win the league.

“As young as they are, I’m trying to get them to not panic and keep level heads and do what they were doing and hopefully we’ll do ok.”

Speaking about the game, Halsey added, “I wouldn’t like to say we’re favourites. They came to ours the other week and they had a good share of the game. We went 1-0 up with a penalty, but other than that the game was pretty close to be fair, so I wouldn’t want to put us down as favourites.

“Greenwich are a good footballing side - and so are we - and hopefully the pitch will suit both of us.

“It’s a semi-final so there’s a different edge to it rather than three points and the team that adapts to everything on Saturday will be in the final.”

Nathan Eastwood, meanwhile, is cup-tied, having already played in the competition for Faversham Town.

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

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

Greenwich Borough v Herne Bay

Kent Senior Trophy Semi-Final

Saturday 6th March 2010

Kick Off 2:00pm

At 68 Oakley Road, Bromley, BR2 8HQ