Ben Smith admits he has plenty of selection headaches ahead of Herne Bay’s home derby game against Sittingbourne.

Only three Isthmian South East fixtures were played last weekend, with Bay remaining fifth after their match at basement boys East Grinstead was among those postponed, although Smith feels the break came at a good time for his side.

It has given midfielder Anthony Edgar additional time to recover from a recurring groin problem while ex-Gillingham youngster Bradley Stevenson, who re-joined Herne Bay last week, could make his second debut for the club against the Brickies on Saturday.

Bay boss Smith said: “We have some major headaches.

“It will not be young lads I’m leaving out. It will be players that comfortably could get into other sides in this league.

“Some of them will have played 100 or more games at Isthmian League level.

“But if we are going to compete, we have to do that.

“If I look back to when Ray Turner was (manager) at Faversham, he would do that.

“He would leave good players out.

“But you need that squad depth if you are going to be successful.”

Herne Bay beat Three Bridges 2-1 last time out but, before that, they had lost 1-0 to VCD Athletic and drawn 3-3 with struggling Faversham.

“In the last mini-run of games, we have not been at our best,” Smith conceded.

“We have had a few players with niggles and just given them a little bit of time to recover.

“Look at Zak Ansah, he has played virtually every minute of every game so far this season.

“Having a week off gave them (the players) a chance to refresh, mentally as well as physically.”

When Bay met Sittingbourne in November, Chris Lynch’s Sittingbourne won 2-0.

Smith added: “For 30 or 40 minutes, we dominated but after we conceded, in the second half, we were nowhere near it.

“We know what threat they will pose to us.

“They are a well-drilled, well-organised side and we will have to find a way to break them down.”

After Herne Bay’s game against Sittingbourne, who lost 2-1 at Haywards Heath on Tuesday, Smith’s side are due to visit leaders Ashford next weekend.

The Nuts and Bolts are 11 points clear of Bay, having played two league matches more this term.

Smith said: “If we get a positive result against Sittingbourne, that Ashford one is set up to be a big one.

“The club have organised for a couple of minibuses to go there, so we will go there with a lot of backing.

“I think we are not a bad fit to play against Ashford.

“You hear boxers talking about styles and I think we (play in) a good style to play against them.

“But don’t get me wrong, they are a very good side. I’m not overly confident, but I am confident we can get a win (against Ashford).

“If we can do that, suddenly, we are right in amongst it.

“Our aim is to catch the likes of Ashford, Hastings and Whitehawk.

“I think you have to look up the table and not over your shoulder.”

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