Ben Smith thinks Herne Bay are one of the biggest clubs in Isthmian South East.

Eighth-placed Bay will make the trip to Faversham on Boxing Day, before they host 10th-placed Whitstable on New Year’s Day.

Manager Smith, whose team are four points outside the play-offs places, said: “Herne Bay have been a club that, pretty much since they were promoted to the Isthmian League, their priority has been to stay up.

“Apart from a couple of seasons under Sam Denly when they challenged for the play-offs, it’s been about survival.

“There are big clubs and good sides in this league, but I would say we are one of the bigger clubs in the league.

“Over the course of this season and next season, we need to have a go.”

• Isthmian League latest
• Club appoint joint managers

Prior to their encounter against Faversham, Herne Bay have gone 12 days without a competitive fixture, with their trip to Hastings on Friday night the victim of a late postponement.

“We have had a bit of a rest and we are ready to go again,” said Smith.

“The annoying thing was we were in good form (having gone four league matches without defeat).

“It was disappointing that the Hastings game was off and the circumstances (the match was called off in) were pretty poor, to be honest.

“The Faversham and Whitstable games are two that you want to be involved in. There are usually big crowds for those sort of games.”

Both fixtures over the festive period kick-off at 3pm.

Read more: All the latest sports news in Kent