Sam Denly says recruiting a 30-goal a season striker must be a priority if Herne Bay want to be serious promotion - contenders – but knows they come at a price.

The Winch’s Field boss hailed the club’s hard working committee but says increased resources are needed to finance such a signing after just missing out on being in the end-of-season shake-up for the second successive season.

Denly said: “We have done tremendously well in the three years I have been at the club and are on course for a second top-10 finish.

“The committee have been fantastic, dipping into their own pockets to help fund things but trying to attract outside investment is important.”

Bay conceded an 95th-minute equaliser to draw 1-1 against Carshalton Athletic in their final home Ryman League, Division 1 South game on Saturday, but Denly bemoaned lack of finishing as the reason Bay did not secure the result earlier.
He said: “They scored with their only shot of the second half and that was frustrating.
“We created loads of chances – including plenty of one-on-ones – and it has been the lack of quality in the final third that has summed up our season.”

Bay maybe out of contention themselves but travel to Hastings on Saturday knowing they can still have a big say in who finishes in the last play-off-berth. The East Sussex club, Faversham (at home to Hythe) and Corinthian Casuals all start chasing one spot.

Denly said: “It’s good to have something to play for in our last game.”

Hastings knocked Bay out of the FA Cup at Pilot Field in September. Bay lost 3-2 and finished with nine men after Joe Nelder and Kane Phillip were sent off.

A yellow card for Elliott Cutts against Carshalton has been the only blemish on Bay’s disciplinary record in the last two games and Denly reaffirmed his intentions to improve things.

“It’s the focal point of my team-talks pre-match and at half-time,” he said.