Herne Bay are flying ahead of their trip to the Channel Islands this weekend.

Sam Denly’s side head to Guernsey in confident mood, following two impressive wins in four days, including Tuesday’s 6-0 success in Ryman League, Division 1 South at Walton Casuals.

The Bay squad stay at Gatwick on Friday evening before taking off at breakfast time the following morning ahead of the lunchtime kick-off.

Bay are taking a squad of 17/18 players, including young defender Harry Brown but Dean Grant and Stuart King miss the trip due to work commitments.

Denly said: “It is a one-off occasion but we are going there full of confidence, and ready to enjoy it.”Guernsey slipped up 6-1 at Horsham last week but Denly added: “A lot of their players are self-employed and struggle to make the away trips, so I won’t read too much into that result.”

The Bay boss was delighted with defender George Benner’s debut at Walton.
He replaced Joe Kennett, who picked up an ankle injury in the win against Tooting on Saturday.

Denly said: “George was excellent, fitted in well and there is good competition for places at the club.”

Bay begin their holiday programme with a home derby against Denly’s former club Whitstable on Boxing Day.

The last meeting between the sides, in the Kent Senior Cup in October, saw three Whitstable players sent-off in a game they won 1-0.