Herne Bay manager Ben Smith has praised his side’s mentality after their weekend win at Guernsey.

Bay ran out 3-2 winners to make an instant recovery from their 1-0 home defeat to Burgess Hill last time out.

Smith said: “To come back like we did from last week’s result was really pleasing, because it means we can put the Burgess Hill defeat behind us.

“We weathered the early storm from Guernsey despite being poor in the first 10 minutes and then dominated the game. We looked really comfortable until a mistake gave them hope.”

Three goals in 10 minutes at the end of the first half was enough to cancel out a well-organised Guernsey side.

The victory puts Bay sixth – just one place outside the play-offs in Isthmian South East and level on points with Whyteleafe in fourth.

Smith added: “It was a great team effort. It’s hard to pick out individuals when we play like that but Tushaun-Tyreese Walters was unplayable, like he has been most of the season.

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“Ryan Cooper was excellent going forward from right-back and Zak (Ansah) was integral to all our attacking play. The others were able to feed off him and it’s great to watch when everyone is contributing.”

Two own goals in the 40th and 42nd minute put Bay into the lead after Matt Loaring had opened the scoring for the home side.

Ansah’s penalty in first half stoppage time was enough to see off a late surge from Guernsey who made it 3-2 with a Ross Allen spot kick.

Smith added: “Guernsey have their own style of football but I think once we scored we outplayed them at their own game.

“They were always going to start the second half well but we were good on the ball and after we went a goal down, we showed bravery and moved the ball well.”

Herne Bay host eighth-placed Chichester City on Saturday and Smith is expecting a tough encounter.

He said: “They will be there or thereabouts for the play-offs come the end of the season. They’ve got some good players like Scott Jones.

“We’re becoming a side that everyone else wants to beat, so we have to keep looking for that one per cent that turns a draw into a win. It’s frustrating we’re not actually in the play-offs yet, but we’ve got ourselves in a great position.”

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