Herne Bay are already looking forward to hosting Ryman League newcomers Guernsey on the opening day of the new football season.

The Green Lions, formed just two years ago, stormed to the Combined Counties championship last season and reached the semi-finals of the FA Vase.

And their first game at Step 4 will be at Winch’s Field on August 10 after the Ryman League Division 1 South fixtures were announced on Wednesday.

Bay manager Sam Denly said: “Everyone was looking at Guernsey and we’ve got them at home first up, which is a bonus for us.

“It’s a hard one, Guernsey. I’ll have people looking at opposition teams but Guernsey is one where I’m going to struggle. We’ll just have to see what happens on the day.

“It’s their first experience of that level and I’m sure they’ll bring a few (fans) with them. Hopefully we get a few coming through the gate ourselves.”

Bay have been handed two Kent derbies over the August Bank Holiday weekend. They will host Faversham on August 24 before making the short trip to Whitstable for a clash with Denly’s old club 48 hours later.

And they will fly to Guernsey for the return fixture on December 21, with Denly already looking at plans for a pre-Christmas weekend stopover.