There will be more to come from us, warns Herne Bay boss Simon Halsey

STATISTICS prove that Herne Bay are fast becoming Kent’s version of the invincibles, writes Stephen McCartney.


Since the club’s 4-1 away defeat to Erith Town in a Kent League fixture on 29 January 2011, Herne Bay have extended their unbeaten run to 28 league and cup games.  However, if you include this summer’s seven pre-season friendlies, Herne Bay are an astonishing 35 games unbeaten!

During that run, Herne Bay, who lost the Kent League title to Hythe Town on goal-difference last season, have kept eighteen clean sheets.

The club’s reserve side are also unbeaten in eight pre-season friendlies, winning seven of them, and have beaten Faversham Town, Erith Town and Whitstable Town in Kent League Division One games, and the club’s new under 18 side have beaten Faversham Town and Hythe Town in their opening two Kent Youth League outings this season.

Herne Bay welcome Tony Russell’s Erith Town side to Winch’s Field in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round tomorrow.

And Halsey, who was speaking on the eve of the mouth-watering clash, is looking forward to watching two quality passing sides in action.

“We’re carrying on from last season really,” said Halsey.

“We’re not firing on all cylinders, we’re doing ok.  Hopefully there will be more to come from us!

“It’s a good record but at the end of the day when that record, if it comes to an end, we’ll have to roll our sleeves up and start again.  We’ve done well to get there.”

Goals from Byron Walker and leading goalscorer Darren Marsden, ensured the two sides shared the points in a 2-2 league fixture at Erith Sports Stadium in their third league game.

“It was a decent game up there the other week,” recalled Halsey.

“We dominated the first half, they dominated the second half, so it’s all to play for really.

“It’s the FA Cup, it doesn’t matter to me. All it is it’s just another game of football.  We have to make sure we’re prepared right and hopefully we’ll beat them.

“It will only be to a better side or a freak slice of nature that won’t happen.”

“If we do the right things we’ve been doing over the last month, hopefully at ten-to-five we’ll come away with a win.”

When asked what the entire club’s unbeaten run comes down to, Halsey replied, “A winning mentality!  Good players and just the belief around the club at the moment.

“Everyone wants to be in the starting eleven, unfortunately not everyone can.  Whoever is has that belief and desire not to lose the game.  They have that winning mentality really.”

With £3,000 worth of prize money up for grabs to the winner, Halsey said: “The chairman (Trevor Kennett) won’t say no to that or the treasurer. 

“Everyone’s realistic.  They obviously know they’re not going to win the FA Cup, so it’s just a case of myself and the players’ getting everything right so we can put some money back into the club.  The players’ are treated well at the club so it’s a payback time really and put some money back into the pot.”

Hythe Town became the first Kent League club in 53 years’ to reach the FA Cup First Round proper last November and everyone wants to follow their achievement.

“I look to myself and Herne Bay Football Club and I think we can do that,” vowed Halsey.

“There’s no reason why we can’t and every manager going into the games tomorrow will have that belief.”

Halsey added: “Erith Town are a very good side themselves.  They play the right way, the same as we do and Tony and his side will have that belief that they can win the game – and I’ve got that belief.

“If we get beat it will be down to being beaten by a better team or a lack of preparation from us – but it certainly won’t be that latter part.

“It has the makings of a good game and I really hope it is!”

Midfielder Jimmy Corbett (fractured fibula) has been ruled out for a further three weeks after being injured during the 3-0 win over Deal Town in the last round on 3 September.

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

Herne Bay  v  Erith Town
FA Cup with Budweiser First Qualifying Round
Saturday 17^th September 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Winch’s Field, Stanley Gardens, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 5SG