Manager Steve Lovell has welcomed Herne Bay’s home draws in the FA Cup and the FA Trophy.

Isthmian South East Bay will host Rayners Lane or Broadfields United at Winch’s Field in the FA Cup Preliminary Round on Saturday, August 17.

Northwood then will be Herne Bay’s visitors in the FA Trophy First Qualifying Round on Saturday, September 7.

“It’s nice to have two at home,” said Lovell, who saw rivals Ramsgate - one of his former clubs - make it to the FA Cup Second Round last year.

“The first two FA Cup draws were away last year.

“Someone like Ramsgate showed last year just what a positive impact a good cup run can have for a club. We all want to go as far as we can in any competition.

“I’m pleased we have got two home draws because that gives us a good chance to progress further in those competitions.”

There was certainly no shortage of entertainment as Herne Bay started pre-season with a 7-4 victory at home to Southern Counties East Premier Division Hollands & Blair last weekend.

Lovell said: “It was a very good run-out.

“We made changes later on and, obviously, the youngsters and trialists coming on changed it a little bit but we have got to give them a go.

“For the majority of it, it was very pleasing and we scored some good goals. It was a very good attacking performance.

“Some of the new lads coming in had a run-out - Kane Haysman, Ethan Smith and Ollie Gray all got minutes on the pitch.

“Jack Parter was excellent on Saturday.

"He’s such a good signing because he can play in a number of positions and Mo Kamara, again, has come back, looking sharp.”

Two-goal Sam Sarpong, Mike Salako, Kamara, Frankie Smith, Kayan Hassan and Kane Rowland found the target.

“We like to go at teams,” admitted Lovell, whose troops were one of last season’s highest scorers in the division. “We’re very good going forward.

“I’m really pleased the goals were shared around.

“We need to work on the transition when we lose the ball.

“When we lost the ball, our shape was a little bit open. But our strength is going forward.

“As long as we tighten it up defensively, I think we will be fine.”

Hassan was one who particularly caught the eye for Bay in the first period, setting up Salako’s goal as well as getting on the scoresheet himself.

Lovell noted: “He had a good half.

"He’s very fit and is a technically gifted player.

“He got in the box from a good cross and finished it well [for his goal]. That was typical of our first-half performance.”

The first-team’s game came after the opening of the new clubhouse cafe in the morning and a veterans’ game. Many also watched England’s Euro 2024 quarter-final penalty shootout win against Switzerland later in the day at the ground.

“It was great,” said Lovell. “The vets played their game in the morning, then it was our game.

"Then, we got together to watch the England game and it was a great atmosphere.

“The clubhouse was packed with young lads, as well as men and ladies. Our players stayed back to watch it and there was a bit of food there.

“The club is working hard to make it a really welcoming environment. It was great to be with the supporters and to watch the [England] game.”

However, winger Gil Carvalho has moved on from Herne Bay in favour of rivals Sittingbourne.

“It’s disappointing,” admitted Lovell. “But players make their decisions, you cannot do anything about it.

“He’s been made an offer that he couldn’t refuse.

“Gil is a great lad. I don’t think he would have left for any other reason.

"He was good last year and he was good for us at Ramsgate, as well.

“I wish him all the best - except, of course, against us!”

Bay will host Larkfield & New Hythe this Saturday and visit VCD on Tuesday.

Herne Bay’s Vets are set to face a Tottenham Hotspur Legends team on Sunday, August 18.

Visit tinyurl.com/KMHerneBayspursvets to book tickets, which are priced at £6.13 for general admission.