Herne Bay’s return to form faces a stiff test when they travel to Ryman League, Division 1 South leaders Walton Casuals on Saturday.

A week ago boss Sam Denly was angry and disappointed after watching his side lose 4-2 at Sittingbourne but he refuses to get carried away, despite successive wins against Corinthian Casuals and Merstham.

Denly said: “We know what our priorities are as far as the league is concerned.

“We just want to push on and see how far it takes us and don’t want to be looking over our shoulders later in the season.”

Bay return to Surrey without goalkeeper Jack Delo, who serves a one-match ban after being sent-off against Bourne last month so local boy Ben Kitcherside, who plays for the under-18s, makes his senior debut. Denly said: “Ben has been in and around the squad this season, so he knows the rest of the boys.

“Jack will be at the game to help him through.”

Casuals have been riding high in the table since the start of the season but suffered a 3-2 defeat at lowly Chipstead on Tuesday night.

Denly will hope to see a repeat of the last two performances, saying: “We were excellent against Merstham from front-to-back.

“Everybody worked hard, we played some great football and never looked back.

“It was the third time we had played them this season and haven’t conceded a goal.”

The two wins ended Bay’s indifferent league form, which had seen them not win in the league since September.

Their return to form comes just as they are about to begin a run of fixtures against teams around them in the table, including Redhill and Chipstead.

Denly is still usure when young midfielder Kane Phillips will be ready to return after a lengthy lay-off with ankle trouble but the manager is continuing to monitor his recovery.

Apart from Delo’s enforced absence, Denly reports no fresh injury worries ahead of Saturday’s tough trip.