By Steve Tervet

Winch's Field has been an unhappy hunting ground for Herne Bay lately but the problematic playing surface could work in their favour on Saturday.

Maidstone United provide the opposition for a Kent derby which is set to draw Bay’s biggest home gate of the season.

Bay have lost their last four home games and more than six hours of football has been played since they scored in front of their home fans.

However, manager Simon Halsey (pictured) believes the bumpy Winch’s Field pitch could prove a leveller when the title-chasing Stones come to town.

He said: "Maidstone are a little bit up and down at the moment. They’re not going to like playing on our pitch after that nice 3G (at the Gallagher Stadium). We’ve got to try to take advantage of that."

Tom Bryant and Dan Wisker both miss the Maidstone game through suspension and their manager will also be in the stands.

Halsey completes a two-game touchline ban which saw him relay phone messages to the away bench at Salters Lane last weekend.

He said: "I’ll be doing my bit from the stand. I’ve never done it before. I sat in the away directors’ box (at Faversham).

"When you’re in the dugout, you’re so involved but in the stand you’re sitting there watching the game and you have a different viewpoint."