We're being punished for our mistakes, says Herne Bay boss Simon Halsey

HERNE BAY boss Simon Halsey says he is looking forward to the club’s first ever FA Carlsberg Trophy tie tomorrow.



The newly-promoted side, who won the Kent League title and reached the semi-finals of the FA Carlsberg Vase last season, welcome Chatham Town to Winch’s Field for a Preliminary Round tie.

The Bay lie in eighth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table, with two wins and a draw from five league games.

Kevin Watson’s Chatham Town, meanwhile, are in fifth-place in the Ryman League Division One North table, with two wins and a draw from their four league games.

“Another local derby, tough test for us. They’re an established Ryman side for a few years now so it’s a learning curve again for ourselves tomorrow,” said Halsey on the eve of the Winch’s Field clash.

“I’ve not really done too much homework on them, that’s no disrespect to them. I’ve just been a bit busy, not being able to get round to see them.

“We’re just going to set ourselves out and let them worry about us and change their formation or whatever they’re going to do to suit us. We’re just going to play our normal Herne Bay game to be honest.”

Halsey added: “Another historic day breaking into the Trophy, which is another reason why we wanted to move up the leagues so we can compete in these tough competitions. I’m not saying the FA Vase was not a tough competition, it is in its own right.

“If we can perhaps have a bit of luck and get a win tomorrow to move into the next round.  As the rounds go by we may get an established non-league club, which could bring in the crowds and some revenue into the club.”

The winner of tomorrow’s tie will scoop £2,300 in very welcomed prize money.  Herne Bay didn’t pick up a penny after they lost to Folkestone Invicta in the FA Cup Preliminary Round last month.

Honest Halsey held his hands up and admitted he made mistakes during his side’s 3-1 defeat at surprise league leaders Crawley Down Gatwick last weekend.  Byron Walker, who was last season’s leading goalscorer, scored his first goal of the season upon his return to the club.

The Rainham resident said: “Again, it’s a learning curve for us.  One-all, against a very good side with 20-25 minutes to go and we’ve had the best chance of the game to go 2-1 up and not taken it

“It’s just trying to get through to the players, we must take the opportunities we get.

“We’ve made a stupid fundamental error at our end and they take the lead. It’s still a learning curve for the players and a learning curve or me and I made a couple of changes, if I’m honest with myself and everyone, I made a couple of wrong changes as the game wore on so I’ll take a little bit of a wrap about it.

“We have to cut out the little errors. In the Kent League you can get away with it but at this level you get punished for it.

“Even though we lost we’re positive how we played and what we want to do.”

Subject to their result against Chatham Town tomorrow, Herne Bay welcome Blue Square Bet (Conference) South side Dover Athletic to Winch’s Field in a Kent Senior Cup Sponsored by Portablefloodlights.com Second Round next Wednesday (7:45pm).

Nicky Forster’s side were stunned by Ryman League Division One South side Hythe Town in the semi-final’s last season when Scott Porter’s side powered their way to a famous 3-0 in February before beating holders Dartford 1-0 in the final at Princes Park Stadium.

Halsey said: “Again, it’s a good draw for us. I’m under no illusions that they’re going to send a massive Dover side down here.  It will probably be a mixture of Academy or whatever.  Hopefully there will be a few through the gate and see an entertaining game.

“I can’t wait!  The games are coming thick and fast and that’s another reason why we wanted to come into this league, playing more games than the Kent League.

“I’ll be fielding the strongest side possible. Last year it was very awkward for me as we were going for the Kent League title, the Vase and still in the KPL (League Cup) and I had a massive squad.

“I had to prioritise games last year and perhaps field a weaker side with the Vase run. This year is all new to us. I’ve got to field my strongest side in every game as I possibly can.

“I can’t tinker or mess around with it because the calibre of the opposition we’re coming up against is that much better.

“I have to field my strongest side every week.”

Reflecting on their campaign so far, Halsey added: “Absolutely brilliant!  Far from more on than I’d expected us to be to be honest.

“Disappointed not to have a couple more points on the board if I’m honest because I think in a couple of the games I felt we deserved a little bit more out of it.

“I’m over the moon with what we’ve achieved so far. It’s early days but we have to keep the consistency going and make sure we do the best we can in every game.”

Halsey revealed he aims to strengthen his squad this weekend.

“I’ve strengthened the squad this week (bringing in Dan Wisker from Whitstable) and I’m also strengthening it again this weekend. I’m very pleased with how the players have adapted, how the club has supported me with what I’m doing and making it an easy ride for me.

“That’s not financially, just in everything that we’re trying to achieve, how the club is being run, not just the first team.

“Gary Sayer (who I signed from Whitstable Town) will hopefully get his first game tomorrow after getting through a little groin injury.

“I’ve got two players I’m trying to sign at the weekend, so it’s all good.”

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

Herne Bay  v  Chatham Town
The FA Carlsberg Trophy Preliminary Round
Saturday 15^th September 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Winch’s Field, Stanley Gardens, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 5SG