John Embery believes Herne Bay’s next two matches could be pivotal in determining how the rest of their season goes.

Improving Bay host second-placed Hastings at Winch’s Field on Saturday before travelling to leaders Cray on February 2.

Bay are enjoying their best run of the campaign with wins from three of their last four Bostik South East matches and joint boss Embery reckons there’s no better time to be playing the top two.

He said: “We’re looking forward to both games, the boys are full of confidence and we expect to go well.

“I don’t think either of them will be looking forward to playing us at the moment.

“People (from other clubs) have been saying all season that we are in a false position and from our point of view it’s a good time to be playing these clubs.

“The confidence within the group right now is huge and if you’ve got confidence you’ve got half-a-chance.

“It could be a real big game-changer for our season. If we can get something from both games it would set us up for the rest of the season, and who knows where it could take us.”

Embery watched Hastings beat Whyteleafe 3-0 at home on Saturday and he expects a fast open contest at Winch’s. The Bay boss certainly doesn’t think the 5-0 midweek defeat at Pilot Field in November will have any great bearing.

He explained: “We were down to the bare bones that night. We had three midfielders playing in defence but still created chances. We had two goals disallowed and hit the crossbar, but back then we weren’t having the best of luck.

“I think Saturday could be an interesting confrontation because Hastings are a similar side to us.

“They like to break quickly and get plenty of bodies forward but they are a bit open.”

It was necessity that led to midfielder Connor Wilkins being asked to play centre-half earlier in the season but the 19-year-old has now made that spot his own after a string of outstanding displays.

Embery said: “Connor has been a revelation, but then he’s the type of player who can play anywhere.

“He’s quick, great on the ball, and has made such a difference to our defence especially alongside Ben Gorham and Danny Rumbol, the three of them have developed a really good chemistry.”

Embery also hailed the contribution of experienced keeper Simon Overland, who, he said had made a ‘massive impact’, since joining from Faversham.

Bay expect to have a full complement of players to choose from for the Hastings game and Embery also hopes to complete the signing of a defender before the weekend.