Herne Bay return to league action this weekend after a 10-day break looking to extend their seven-game unbeaten run.

Not since the opening day of the season have Sam Denly’s side tasted defeat in Ryman League, Division 1 South. And a home game against rock-bottom Eastbourne Town on Saturday looks – on paper at least – an open invitation for Bay to make it eight.

Denly said: “In our last two games, we’ve beaten Burgess Hill and got a good point away to Hythe, so we go into Saturday full of confidence.

“We’re playing some good stuff. I know Eastbourne are down the bottom but they’ve had some good results and we know it’s going to be a tough game.”

Denly admits there is a balance to be struck between talking up the team’s unbeaten run and focusing attention on the next fixture.

He said: “There’s not too much hype around it. We’re going about our business quietly but we know we’re playing well and we’re a hard team to beat. Nobody’s going to have an easy ride against us. Before the season, a lot of people didn’t give us much chance but one thing we have got is a good changing-room.

“The players are buzzing and there’s a real togetherness at the moment that’s showing in our performances.”

Danny Lawrence was taken to hospital after injuring a rib during Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Ramsgate in the Kent Senior Cup, while Nathan Eastwood – another player with a rib injury – is still a week or two away from returning to action.