New Lydd Town boss Scott Porter has seen close up the job that awaits and there’s plenty to do.

Porter watched on at the weekend as the Lydders lost 3-2 at home against VCD Athletic in the Southern Counties East Premier Division before getting properly stuck into the job.

“My work started at 5pm on Saturday night,” said the former Hollands & Blair manager after the weekend.

“The team was picked following the win against Holmesdale the week before, I didn’t train with them as I was already away.

“The plan was to go in there, have a look and go away and get to work.

“I knew what I was going into. On paper, it’s a great side but there’s a lot of work to be done individually with players and collectively as a group, on and off the pitch.

“I’m the man to do it and I’m looking forward to it.

“Saturday wasn’t good, the team knows it needs to be fitter, it is a tough league the SCEFL, a lot of energy and you need to get around the park. They didn’t do it on Saturday.”

Lydd were two down after 26 minutes and Porter was forced into action at the break.

They got a goal back shortly after the restart through Luke Burdon and equalised when one substitute - new signing Harvey Welford - assisted another as Dean Grant scored.

A second penalty of the afternoon, on 96 minutes, was converted by VCD to clinch all three points.

Lydd finished with nine men at Tunbridge Wells on Tuesday night but twice came from behind and took a point thanks to a last-minute equaliser.

Captain Ryan Smith was sent off early on for a second bookable offence and Lydd goalkeeper Craig Smith saved a Wells penalty with the home side already 1-0 up. Shortly after that Sam Adams scored from the penalty spot at the other end for the visitors.

Wells restored the lead with from a free-kick and Lydd lost another player when striker Kenny Pogue was sent off for a foul. Despite the set-backs, Lydd continued to attack and substitute Troy Howard’s 90th minute goal meant the match finished 2-2.

On an eventful night, Lydd also lost striker Dean Grant to injury.

Ninth-placed Lydd are on the road again when they head to Corinthian on Saturday.

“The boys know what to expect from me, what I generate and want,” said Porter.

“I expect discipline on and off the pitch, winners, fighters, with work hard and we’ll get our rewards that way.

“I’m not taking away the fact there is quality and the plus side is how far they have got with Rogo (James Rogers, player-manager before Porter took charge).

“Playing and managing has been tough and they have gone through a few players, there are some injuries and we have good players coming back like Ronnie Dolan, Johan Ter Horst, Charlie Webster - three dead certs there.

“There’s a great opportunity to get into the play-offs here and fair play to Rogo and the people he has had with him.”

Porter left fellow SCEFL Premier Division side Blair for the chance to manage a side he once captained as a player.

He felt the time was right to take charge of the first team at Lindsey Field.

He said: “It is closer to my home, I have played at Lydd and it was perfect for me.

“I have a lot of memories there and a lot of time for the people there and what they’re trying to do at the club is really exciting. I am looking forward to it.

“On the flip side, it was definitely the right time to leave Blair.

“I knew about the traveling and the lack of funds but I wanted to be challenging. The gap is getting bigger and bigger and I didn’t want to be falling away.

“An opportunity came up with Lydd in the summer but I didn’t think it was right to go then, after what we achieved and the respect I have for the club, chairman and committee.

“It’s a lovely club, they look after you and I wish them all the best, but it was the right time to go.”