By Craig Tucker

Ambitious Herne Bay manager Simon Halsey is targeting the play-offs ahead of his side’s debut season in Ryman League, Division 1 South.

Kent Hurlimann League champions Bay take on
Tooting & Mitcham at Winch’s Field on Saturday (3pm) and travel to Hythe Town on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Halsey (pictured) said: "I’ve been ready for this ever since we beat Greenwich Borough to win the title last season.

"I wanted to be the man who got Herne Bay out of the Kent League and now it’s time to write a new chapter. As a club, consolidation would be a good season but, as a manager, I want to make the play-offs."

The club have worked hard to make sure they are ready for the challenge of Tooting & Mitcham and the months ahead.

Halsey said: "We’ve watched Tooting and it’s safe to say they won’t be drawing too many games 0-0 this season.

"They love going forward and they’re not great at defending. It doesn’t matter that they’re the away side, they will still go for it and all credit to them."

He added: "Everything’s different at this level. In the Kent League, you could go into certain games with a weak side and still win but not now.

"Ryman teams are much better at taking their chances."