Morgan has assembled our best ever team, says Herne Bay chairman

HERNE BAY manager Barry Morgan has challenged his side to carry their pre-season form into their Bulmers Cider Kent League campaign, starting with perennial whipping boys Sporting Bengal United, writes Stephen McCartney.

The east Londoners, who are clearly out of their depth at this level, arrive at Winch’s Field on Saturday with a Herne Bay side in top pre-season form.




SIGN OF THINGS TO COME? :  Herne Bay's players celebrate beating arch-rivals Whitstable Town to win the Bruce Smith Shield last night.
Photograph courtesy of www.hernebayfc.net

“We’ve not done bad (with) a totally new team,” Morgan told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“We’re getting used to each other but the results have (been good) and we’re pretty upbeat going into the first game on Saturday.

“We’re at home, which is obviously to our advantage, we’ll be hoping for three points.”

Sporting Bengal United are so unpredictable, you never know what you’re going to come up against, but one thing is for certain, Herne Bay are expected to deliver the goods, and goals.

Last season, the Mile End outfit finished rock bottom with four wins and four draws to their name from 32-matches, finishing eleven points adrift of Lordswood.

And 43-year-old Morgan admitted: “You just haven’t got a clue what you’re going to get with them!”

Morgan has signed some quality players, including striker Stuart King from Ryman Premier League side Ramsgate, during the summer, and expectations are sky-high.

Last season’s sixth place finish - 28 points behind champions Thamesmead Town - is seen by many as a huge disappointment.

“I’ve got a squad of players now who can perform and if they can perform week in week out, we’re in with a shout,” said Morgan.

“We’ll finish as high as we possibly can. I always tread carefully, that’s how I am, you never know what’s around the corner.”

“It’s nice to have had a good pre-season and everyone’s very upbeat.  We just want to do as well as we’re capable of (and) if we live to our capabilities, we’ll be fine.”

Herne Bay defeated arch-rivals Whitstable Town 2-1 last night, to win the inagural Bruce Smith Shield.

And Morgan was pleased with the way his side performed at Belmont Road, against a side that play one division above them, in Ryman League Division One South.

“It was a very good win,” he said. “For me it was a good one as we’ve played opposition from lower levels and it’s hard to judge your players properly but having done well against Whitstable, I know where we are.”

Rob Lawrence is definitely ruled out as he broke his arm in a reserve team friendly against his former side Whitstable Town.

“I only sent him there to get ninety minutes, bless him, and he ended up with a broken arm,” added Morgan.

With a pre-season record of six wins and just one defeat from their seven warm-up matches, Herne Bay’s chairman John Bathurst is extremely confident this season.

“I’m really looking forward to the season starting,” Mr Bathurst told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“The new squad Barry has assembled is probably one of the best Herne Bay have ever had.

“The new signings have all bonded superbly, with the retained players, and there is a great buzz around the place.

“We have had a great pre-season, culminating with not only winning the Bruce Smith Shield at Whitstable, but completely outplaying our Ryman League Division One South neighbours.

“We must start the season with three points and take this into the FA Cup fixture against Redhill.

“Confidence is high and the lads’ can’t wait for Saturday to come.”

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

Herne Bay v Sporting Bengal United
Bulmers Cider Kent League
Saturday 9^th August 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Winch’s Field, Stanley Gardens, Herne Bay