Goalkeepers Taite Holtam and Harry Brooks are helping bring the best out of each other for Herne Bay, manager Steve Lovell believes.

Bay kept a first clean sheet this season as they played out a goalless Isthmian South East derby at Margate on Bank Holiday Monday.

On-loan Gillingham youngster Holtam was between the sticks at Hartsdown Park but
Brooks has been the club’s FA Cup No.1 with 19-year-old Holtam unavailable.

“Both of them have done well,” said Lovell. “It’s a difficult situation.

“I got Taite in because Harry got injured in one of the last pre-season games and I saw what Taite could bring.

“Because Taite can’t be cup-tied, Harry has come in for the cup games and done well.

“It’s good to have competition in all areas. I think it’s spurring the two of them on.

“Taite has done well. What he had to do on Monday, he did very well.

“I like the way he commands his penalty box. He has a good presence about him.

“He’s a good keeper and he’s still only young.

“I think Taite definitely has a good future ahead of him.”

Young defender Skye Salmon has also forced his way into Herne Bay’s line-up, starting against Margate.

Lovell said: “He’s come in and done really well.

“Skye came to us in pre-season and we had him for a few games. He wasn’t in my plans at the start of pre-season but he’s played his way in.

“He wants to learn and get better. He’s a good lad.

“He’s played the last couple of games and done really well.

“Skye has forced his way in the team and there’s no reason to leave him out at the moment.”

Another to start for Lovell’s side was Scott Heard as the crucial midfielder made his first
competitive appearance of the campaign.

“Heardy has been away,” stated Bay’s boss. “We have missed him. He brings good energy.

“Monday was his first run-out after three weeks away so we took him off before the end.

“I know Heardy would have been out running every day on holiday anyway.

“We just wanted to be careful with him.”

While 787 watched Bay’s match in Thanet, they weren’t exactly treated to a classic.

Lovell said: “I most probably would have taken a point but it wasn’t a very good game.

“The wind was howling, it wasn’t the best game in the world.

“But we defended really well as a group. Last year, we scored a lot of goals but we conceded too many, really.

“I think we look a little bit more solid defensively this year.

“I don’t think there will be a lot of games that will be 5-0 or 6-0.

“I think it will be quite tight so it’s important to be good defensively. There will be a lot of 1-0 or 2-1 games.

“We created one or two opportunities and could have nicked it at the end on Monday but, overall, I think a point was a fair result.”

Bay are in FA Cup first qualifying round action against Ashford Town (Middlesex) on Saturday.

Lovell explained: “They don’t play at their own ground. We have to go up to Bedfont Sports where we played last year.

“They’re the same level as us.

“With cup ties, it’s a lot more about on the day rather than based on league form. We’re doing all right.

“We just want to keep the run going and get another result at the weekend.”

With forward Kane Rowland still suspended and midfielder Kane Haysman also unavailable, Bay are slightly depleted on attacking options.

But Lovell said: “Monty Saunders played for the under-23s on Tuesday night.

“I went and watched him at Maidstone (in a 5-2 defeat). He picked up a little injury but I think we will be okay.

“With people like him, Josh Reid and Artem Kuchkov, they might get an opportunity.

“I’m not afraid to put them into the team and then it’s up to them to show what they can do.”