It’s all about us, says Smith

Ben Smith is urging Herne Bay to keep concentrating on their own strengths.

Bay visit a new-look Sevenoaks who are battling relegation from Isthmian South East this Saturday. Oaks have been plenty of change after the departure of manager Micky Collins, with former Glebe boss Harry Hudson replacing him, and Smith admits it’s difficult to know what to expect at Mill Lane.

“To be honest, in some ways, it’s a negative but in other ways, we can just focus on playing to our strengths,” said Bay boss Smith. “There’s a tendency to get a scout report and look at what they have got, but that can take away from our strengths. “I think we have done well this season because we focus on ourselves. We have just worried about ourselves and, 80% of the time, we have put in good performances.” Bay have signed defender Troy Williams who has played for Isthmian Premier Merstham and National South Braintree this season, while another is close to joining. Smith said: “Troy Williams has been at Braintree, he comes in as a defender.

“I think he will fit into what we do and can play full-back either side. Dan Carrington has been playing right-back and has been doing well, but he can play centre-back as well.

“We are working on one other defender, who is close to signing. At the minute, we are down to five defenders. We are talking to an attacking player who we are trying to get in on loan as well .”

Zak Ansah struck twice in a dominant first-half display to help lead Bay to a 2-1 victory over Whitehawk last weekend which moved them back into the play-offs.

It puts the striker onto 17 goals this season - but only four have come in 2022. Smith has been pleased with Ansah’s all-round contributions recently, though, saying: “He has high standards for himself. On another day, he goes and gets his hat-trick.”

With Bay having signed goalkeeper Billy Johnson on loan from Maidstone to cover for Jordan Perrin, who is now fit, teenager Lucas Hanley has been getting first-team experience with Guernsey where his family are from. “He is going to be an outstanding keeper,” said Smith, who confirmed Hanley still trains with the club. “He is getting games with them. They are a good club and it just works out generally.”