Tushaun Walters scored a goal-of-the-season contender for Herne Bay on Saturday and is being tipped for bigger things.

Bay boss Ben Smith has been impressed with the forward’s contribution this season and the goals have started to arrive too.

The former Chelsea youth player won a penalty and scored twice in the 3-1 weekend win.

His first goal on Saturday was a bit special.

Smith said: “His performances have been excellent for us. He’s a real threat and causes so many problems.

“We’ve just been looking for the end product and he’s scored goals in the last couple.

“He got a great goal against Three Bridges and on Saturday he took on three players to get us a penalty, scored one from 25-30 yards and a third goal to clinch it. He’s flying high with confidence.

“He should be playing at a higher level but he just wants to enjoy his football again rather than worrying about what trials he is going on etcetera.

“I expect the kid to go back to playing full-time football, he is pretty special.

“He is getting better and better and I am sure it is just a matter of time before he is at a level where a player of his talent should be at.”

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Walters was a regular goalscorer for Greenwich Borough last season after they picked him up following his release from Chelsea.

Smith is happy to give the youngsters a go and a chance of restarting their careers, as he is also doing with former Gillingham midfielder Bradley Stevenson, who scored Bay’s goal in the 2-1 Velocity Trophy defeat at home to Hythe on Tuesday night.

He said: “Bradley Stevenson is another talent but both have things to work on.”

Smith’s team climbed up to fifth place in Isthmian South East with Saturday’s win and the Bay manager knows exactly what they’re up against this weekend when they take on Sittingbourne at Bourne Park.

The Brickies are managed by Chris Lynch, who worked as a coach under Smith for a spell last season at Canterbury City.

Smith said: “I know the team well, I could probably name the side which will play, I know how they will set up. We will have to earn the right to play and if we do that then I am confident we can get a result.”

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