We won’t play that badly again – that was the vow of Herne Bay joint-boss John Embery following the 3-0 Bostik South defeat at former club Sittingbourne on Tuesday.

Bay’s pre-match preparations were hit by Connor Wilkins being detained in hospital for a second time with a recurrence of tonsillitis and the late arrival of Jai Mckinlay.

Embery said: “It didn’t help us in the build-up, Jai not getting to the game until after it had kicked off, delayed travelling from London.

“We had to put a midfielder in the back three and shuffle things in front of them.”

The defeat against the Brickies, followed the 1-0 opening day home reverse against Lewes on Saturday.

Embery added: “We were good against them but poor against Bourne. “We didn’t compete, get close to them or pass the ball well enough.

“We didn’t stick to our game plan – the million dollar question is why? We were asked a few questions and didn’t deal with them well enough.

“All three goals came the same way, being caught on the counter and we didn’t defend well enough.”

James Hammond’s 30-yard stoppage-time finish earned Lewes the points on Saturday.
Embery said: “It could have finished 4-4 and was a good game.

“We did everything we wanted, only to get undone by a great strike. He couldn’t do that again.”

Bay meet Combined Counties League Division 1 outfit Chessington & Hook United in the FA Cup preliminary round tie at Winch’s Field on Sunday (3pm), the game delayed 24 hours due to the town’s airshow.

The Surrey side got through after a 3-1 replay win at Lancing in the previous round.
Sunday’s winners earn £1,925 in prize money.

If no replay is required, Bay host Ashford United in the Kent Reliance Senior Cup first round on Tuesday night (7.45pm). The winners meet Margate. Bay face a trip to Tonbridge Angels in the first round of the Velocity Sports Trophy next month.