We want a run in the cup, says Herne Bay boss Sam Denly

The Bay welcome Hayden Bird’s side to Winch’s Field to contest a FA Carlsberg Trophy Preliminary Round tie.

Herne Bay are sitting in 13^th place in the Ryman League Division One South table with 14 points from 11 games.

The Surrey outfit are five places lower, having collected 13 points from their eleven league outings.

“They’re going to be a decent side,” said Denly.

“They’re bottom half of the table.  I’m sure they’re going to be up for it.

“I’ve had them looked at, they play football. I’m expecting another hard encounter.

“But we’re preparing properly. We’ve got to bounce back after recent performances and that’s what I’m looking to do on Saturday.”

The winners of Saturday’s game will bank £2,500 in prize money from The Football Association.

Denly added: “It’s something to give the club good revenue. We want to do well. We want a run in the Cup.

“We’ll be going there to win the game on Saturday after our disappointing defeats this week.” 

When asked whether he’s happy with his club’s league position in early October, Denly replied: “If you said to me if at the beginning of the season we’d be sitting 13^th, I would have taken it!

“Having said that we know ourselves we’ve dropped points this season. There’s been at least two or three games we’ve drawn, which we should have won. We could have been a few places higher than that but I’m happy with the position we’re in, in the league.

“We’ll be looking to get back to winning ways when we get back to league stuff next week.”

Herne Bay were dumped out of the Kent Senior Cup Sponsored by Portablefloodlights by bitter rivals Whitstable Town on Tuesday night.

Nicky Southall’s side progressed through to the quarter-finals after former Hythe Town striker Craig Thompson scored his first goal for the club in the 52^nd minute.

However, the game will be best remembered for Whitstable Town having skipper James Morrish, John Guest and Steve Hafner being sent-off in a fiery clash at The Belmont.

Denly said: “It was fiery.  We wasn’t at our best really. There wasn’t a lot between the two teams. We had enough chances to get something out of it – they had a few as well.

“The game will be remembered for the last 10 minutes – it was a disgrace!

“I’m glad with the way the (Herne Bay) players responded when it did kick off. There was no punches thrown or head locks.

“I’m a Whitstable lad. Three of them lost the plot if I’m being honest and it’s disgusting what took place. I’m proud of the way my lads reacted to that.”

Visit Herne Bay’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/hernebay

Herne Bay  v  Merstham
The FA Carlsberg Trophy Preliminary Round
Saturday 5^th October 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Winch’s Field, Stanley Gardens, Herne Bay CT6 5SG