Sam Denly says the FA Cup second qualifying round trip to Vanarama National League South side Hemel Hempstead on Saturday is one that Herne Bay will relish.

It’s 14 years since the Winch’s Field club went beyond this stage and Denly knows the size of the task ahead, hampered by a lengthy injury list and going into the tie off the back of three successive defeats.

Hemel are 15th in the table following their 2-2 midweek draw a St Albans on Tuesday night.

Denly said: “It’s a testing time for me and the players but the game is a challenge.

“We are not expected to win and will be underdogs but go there hoping to cause an upset.”

Bay signed former Folkestone defender Chris Elliott this week and he goes straight in to the squad for the trip to Hertfordshire.

He has been without a club since being released by Ashford United, having been sidelined for several months last season due to a serious knee injury.

Denly said: “We have got problems right across the back-line and Neil Cugley (Invicta manager) tipped me off that he was available.”

Bay’s casualty list includes Gary Sayer, who hasn’t kicked a ball yet this season because of a knee injury. He trained this week but could be out for another two weeks.

Connor Sanders (hamstring) and Danny Williams, who suffered a recurrence of calf trouble in the Ryman League Cup penalty shoot-out defeat by Hastings on Tuesday, are two other injury worries.

Danny Walder is playing despite an ankle problem while Joe Kennett, who is nursing a tight hamstring, will miss Saturday’s clash as he is cup-tied.

Skipper Liam Quinn is also unavailable due to work commitments.

If no replay is required against Hemel, Bay will be at home to Sittingbourne on Tuesday night (7.45pm).