Manager Steve Lovell has urged trialists to seize the chance and prove they are good enough to play for Herne Bay after they enjoyed a winning start to pre-season.

Bay had their first warm-up match against Lordswood on Tuesday, beating them 4-2 at Winch’s Field.

Some who are yet to agree terms with Lovell’s new-look squad featured and, with others already signed missing stages this summer, those on trial will have more opportunities to impress, ahead of Saturday’s game with Canterbury City.

“I think we had around five trialists, five boys we have not agreed anything with at this moment,” said Lovell. “It will be the same on Saturday.

“I try to give the first lads 55 minutes and the last lot 35 minutes.

“This time of the season, players are going away on holiday. That’s something you cannot control.

“We might be missing a few on Saturday - but that gives others an opportunity.

“They need to prove they’re good enough.”

A healthy crowd watched Isthmian South East Herne Bay’s return to action.

Lovell said: “I think there were about 300 people there, which is quite good for a pre-season friendly.

“They don’t know much about the team. I think they can take a few positives - as we did - and we’re now looking to the next one on Saturday.

“We have got two games and then Margate next Friday night, which will be a really good test for us.

“We have three games in [less than] seven days so we have got to be a bit careful how we do it.

“But we will manage it and make sure we give the boys enough recovery time as well.”

Ex-Margate and Bromley midfielder Archie Burnett impressed with a goal and two assists against Lordswood.

But Lovell said: “I think it was a good team performance.

“It was nice to see us play as a team, especially in the first half.

“Second half, we made a lot of changes.

“The last 20 minutes, we had to go down to 10 men because I didn’t want to put anyone else on.

“I thought they did well. They worked hard and got the minutes out of it.

“It was a decent exercise and Lordswood gave us a good game.

“I think there’s a lot more to come from us.

“There were a couple of stand-out performances but, all in all, everybody put in a good shift.”

Next up are Canterbury City, preparing for a promotion push in Southern Counties East Division 1, and managed by ex-Bay fans’ favourite Danny Lawrence. They lost 7-2 at Ramsgate in midweek.

“It’s important that these teams can come and play us,” noted Lovell. “We appreciate that.

“It’s good for them to play against higher opposition.

“I know they played Ramsgate on Tuesday. It doesn’t matter about scores, it’s about how you perform.

“It will be another step towards getting things right for August 12 [when they’ll play their first league game].

“That’s what really counts.”