KENT LEAGUE CUP FINAL: We will give Sevenoaks the utmost respect, says Halsey

Friday 30th April 2010

HERNE BAY boss Simon Halsey says he will not underestimate Sevenoaks Town when the two sides lock horns in the Kent League Cup Final, writes Stephen McCartney.

Herne Bay finished their 30-match league campaign as runners-up to promoted champions Faversham Town and play a Sevenoaks Town side that finished in sixth place - the Greatness Park outfit’s best ever campaign in the league.

Looking ahead to the clash at Folkestone Invicta’s Cheriton Road on Monday afternoon, Halsey told www.kentishfootball.co.uk today that he is looking forward to the game against Simon Jones’ side.

“It’s just going to be a Cup Final, anything can happen in a Cup Final, as you’ve seen at any level that you’ve ever watched in your life,” said Halsey.

“As a manager we’ve got to make sure we do things properly, our preparation for the day and work harder and pass the ball better than them and hopefully come ten-to-five we’ll be lifting the Trophy.”

“We beat them 5-1, I believe, in the fourth game of the season and lost 2-0 to them in my horrible March.

“I don’t take any team lightly, they will get the utmost respect, the same as I gave Faversham and Hythe and everyone like that.

“It’s a Cup Final and they will be doing their best to win it, like we will be doing our best and I can’t wait for Monday to come really.

“If any Herne Bay supporter or player - or neutral who’s coming to the game - thinks it’s going to be a forgone conclusion that Herne Bay are going to win it as Herne Bay finished as runners-up and Sevenoaks finished sixth will be gravely mistaken!

“Sevenoaks will want to win it. If they win it that will be a magnificent season for them. Simon and myself will be going for glory for the win and we’ll see what happens.

“I will be dotting my I’s and crossing my t’s like I have done all season.”

Halsey (who was assistant) took over from Barry Morgan last November, suffering a defeat in his first game in charge, a single-goal defeat to Flackwell Heath in the FA Vase.

But things picked up after that and Halsey guided the club to second place in the table and playing some excellent passing football along the way.

“At the end of the day Faversham won more games than us so they are the champions,” said Halsey.

“Me personally and Herne Bay as a club, I only had five months to cram that in where as every other manager had sort of eight months to win the league.

“I’ve only had five months so we’ve crammed a lot into that five months to be honest and to get to both semi-finals, unfortunately losing one to a good Greenwich Borough side and making the other final and finishing runners up to Faversham, only six points off Faversham and 15 points clear of third place, is a great achievement as a club.

“It’s a very successful season for the players and the club but not so successful for me as a manager as we haven’t won the league as a club.

“A bit of mixed emotions, but very pleased and very enjoyable and I can’t wait to come back.”

Halsey is already preparing for next season’s title push and has invited every single player back for pre-season training, which gets underway on Thursday 1st July.

“I’ve sat down with all of my players last night and they all had a letter from me at the end of the season to thank them for their efforts and what they’ve done for me and to invite them back to pre-season on 1st July,” revealed Halsy.

“I sat down and spoke to them collectively and individually, without people putting pen to paper last night, I expect every single player to come back for pre-season.”

Halsey added: “That’s why we’ve got to get everything done early so we’re ready to go and continue the work we’ve done this season.

“There’s no point doing what we’ve done this season and let it all fade away. We have to improve and the only way to improve is to win the league next season. That will be a tall order for myself and the lads but that will be the only improvement next season.”

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

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

Sevenoaks Town v Herne Bay

Bulmers Cider Kent League Cup Final

Bank Holiday Monday 3rd May 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 5JU