Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Smith urges goal-happy Bay to stay focused
Manager Ben Smith is urging Herne Bay to build on their 7-2 derby win over Whitstable when they visit Hythe. Victories over Three Bridges and the Oystermen have put Bay back into the Isthmian
South East play-offs after back-to-back defeats and they are only four points behind leaders Hastings with a game in hand.
There have been plenty of changes at Reachfields, with James Rogers replacing Steve Watt in the hot-seat as Watt left after off-the-field changes saw the budget cut. Rogers is being assisted by Cannons defender Tom Wynter and Will Graham, who worked with Smith at Canterbury City, and they earned a 3-3 draw at sixthplaced Ramsgate on Monday. Smith said: “Rogo and Will Graham will know players, no doubt about that. They have got know-how. Will was my coach at Canterbury and I have got great respect for him. “Rogo has been a great player in non-league circles so full respect to them, but we have to go there and carry on.
“We can’t have an ‘after the Lord Mayor’s Show comes the dust-cart’ kind of performance - that’s not acceptable.”
Bay have also been boosted by the arrival of ex-hemel Hempstead defender Jacques Kpohomouh, who made his debut in the win over Whitstable at Winch’s Field. Smith said: “I thought he was really good.
“It’s a tough one, throwing him straight in. But I just felt they had a bit of pace in wide areas so his pace would help us out-and he’ s very good in the air. So he added a lot to us in terms of defending set-pieces. “He was unlucky not to get a goal when he had a shot that was blocked and not to get an assist in the second half. “Aaron Millbank was inches away from sliding in and getting another goal. I was really happy with Jacques, he looks like a good addition.” Smith also praised midfielder Bradley Schafer’s attitude. Schafer was dropped to the bench but came on and scored the sixth goal, with Kieron Campbell, Millbank, Bode Anidugbe, skipper Laurence Harvey, Zak Ansah and Rory Smith also on target in the win.
Asked if he was looking for any further additions, Bay’s boss said: “We are still looking but Brad Schafer has come in recently as well.
“He is one that was unlucky not to start but he did the right thing. He came on, got involved in the game straight away and smashed in a great finish so I’m pleased with his attitude.”
Bay’s first home match of 2022 is against Sittingbourne on Monday.