Joint-boss John Embery has backed his Herne Bay youngsters to get a result at leaders Lewes on Saturday.

Bay won 1-0 at home to promotion hopefuls Walton Casuals last weekend despite playing for most of the game with 10 men.

The club have appealed against Jono Richardson’s dismissal and Embery was delighted by the character his players showed after the red card.

He said: “It was one of those games where the younger players had to stand up and be counted and they did well.

“Their progress has been excellent. They’ve learnt along the way, we’ve had some hiccups but in general they’ve been brilliant.

“They’re coming of age quickly and it showed on Saturday. We were up against a good side so to be able to take a 1-0 win against them, playing with 10 men for so long, was good.

“It was a good finish by Jake Embery. He took his goal really well. He’s only just turned 18 but he’s scoring a lot of goals at the moment.

“Bradley Schafer was excellent and Tom Carlton and Josh Wisson were good as well. They’re all youngsters, 18 and 19 years of age.

“It’s about game management. They had to work hard for it and understand what they had to do to achieve the win.

“I said to them at half-time ‘this is about growing up, learning how to see a game out and understand what you need to do.’

“They were brilliant. We told them a few things to do and they took it on board. There was only one team going to win it in the second half.”

Looking ahead to the trip to Lewes Embery said: “We played Lewes in the first game of the season and they scored in the 93rd minute. We didn’t deserve to get beaten in that game – we were the better side.

“We don’t fear them. It’s going to be a big atmosphere and a big test for the boys.

“They know it’s a big game so they’ve got to stand up and be counted. It’s part of their progression because they’re a young bunch.”