Bay’s chance to close the gap

Tom Phipp reckons Herne Bay’s match against fellow promotion-chasers Cray Valley is as an opportunity to “put a few hits on someone else’s ship”.

The midfielder, who linked up with manager Ben Smith at Bay in the summer, missed Tuesday’s 2-1 win at Whitehawk through work commitments. But he’s hoping to find a way back into the starting line-up for their Isthmian South East clash on Saturday.

Phipp said: “They are doing well but it’s a long old season. It’s a chance to move a bit closer to them. “It should be a good game. They are six-pointers, really, and an opportunity to put a few hits on someone else’s ship.”

Bay sit fifth in Isthmian South East, five points behind frontrunners Ashford and four points adrift of Cray Valley who are second, but Smith’s side have a game in hand on everyone above them.

Two goals from midfielder Bradley Schafer earned Herne Bay the points at Whitehawk in midweek despite Billie Clark pulling one back. That win came after a goalless draw with Burgess Hill at Winch’s Field last weekend. Phipp said: “We are in a good place, a little bit under the radar. There are not too many eyes on us.

“We have strung a few results together. It looks as though it will come down to how well you do against the teams around you.

“We have got to go into every game, thinking it’s a new game and a new opportunity to get a win. You need to try and win every game that is put in front of you.”

But Phipp knows there is a busy period ahead. He explained: “There’s loads of games coming thick and fast, and Christmas is always a busy time for any club.” Bay;s trip to Faversham on Tuesday has been postponed due to Velocity Trophy action.