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Herne Bay’s season-opening Isthmian South East match at Littlehampton Town pushed back to Sunday, August 11, as their pre-season preparations continue

The wait for Herne Bay’s big kick-off is now set to continue for one more day.

Bay begin their Isthmian South East season at Littlehampton.

Herne Bay player-coach Liam Friend heads towards goal during their weekend pre-season friendly 2-1 win against Folkestone. Picture: James Aylward
Herne Bay player-coach Liam Friend heads towards goal during their weekend pre-season friendly 2-1 win against Folkestone. Picture: James Aylward

But that game has been rearranged for Sunday, August 11, due to the Sussex side’s groundshare agreement meaning The Sportsfield is unavailable the day before.

Herne Bay manager Steve Lovell said: “I would rather get Littlehampton out of the way now, rather than in the winter.

“It’s going to be on that Sunday - but it’s not too much of a problem. It’s pretty much the same thing, it’s only one day later.

“That will give me a chance to watch a game on that Saturday, as well, and look at another of our opposition for the coming weeks.

“Everything is going well. I’m pleased with the boys.

Herne Bay celebrate a goal. Picture: James Aylward
Herne Bay celebrate a goal. Picture: James Aylward

“I enjoy it, they enjoy it, and let’s see what happens.”

Goals from forward Kane Rowland and youngster Monty Saunders, coming after some nice build-up play, led Bay to a 2-1 home win against Southern Counties East Premier Division side Tunbridge Wells on Tuesday.

“The first goal was a good goal,” Lovell said. “There was a good ball by Sam Wright and then Kane is on the end of it.

“For the second goal, there’s some good work by Artem (Kuchkov), who played a great ball through to Monty, who finished it well.

"These players are mostly new to us this year.

Jack Parter shoots for Herne Bay. Picture: James Aylward
Jack Parter shoots for Herne Bay. Picture: James Aylward

“They’re young boys, plenty of energy, plenty of willingness to work hard and do the things that we want them to do, so it’s been good.”

The latest Bay game allowed them to experiment with a few things, Jack Parter - now playing at right-back - skipper in Liam Friend’s absence while left-sided utility man Tom Hanfrey helped fill the void the player-coach left at centre-back.

Lovell said: “Friendy wasn’t here so it gave Tom a chance to play at left-sided centre-half, where I think he does a decent job.

Herne Bay's young prospect Monty Saunders is all smiles. Picture: James Aylward
Herne Bay's young prospect Monty Saunders is all smiles. Picture: James Aylward

“Tom is quite a good utility player for us - he can play anywhere on that left-side. It was good to have him getting more minutes on Tuesday night.

“Jack Parter is Jack Parter, isn’t he? He can play anywhere.

“He was captain and led the team well.”

Scott Heard on the ball for Herne Bay against his old club. Picture: James Aylward
Scott Heard on the ball for Herne Bay against his old club. Picture: James Aylward

Their friendly against Tunbridge Wells came after victory by the same scoreline against ambitious Isthmian Premier side Folkestone at Winch’s Field last weekend as Kane Haysman and fellow midfielder Josh Reid found the target.

“I thought it was a good game on Saturday,” said Lovell. “We played well, they played well.

“There were goals and plenty of chances for both teams. There could have been a lot more goals in the game - but it was a good result for us again.

"I know it’s pre-season but it’s still nice to win games.

“It gives boys confidence and, if you’re winning games and people are scoring goals, that gives them confidence as well. It’s been good so far.

“We still have got three more pre-season games to work on things and narrow down the numbers that we have got.

“But there won’t be too many that we will narrow down because they’re all good boys.”

Bay's weekend home game against Isthmian North Tilbury has been called off. They welcome a Gillingham XI to Winch's Field on Tuesday.

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