Lydd Town interim boss Ryan Smith loves what he’s seen from teenager Finn Sillince.

The 17-year-old wideman made his first start in the Lydders’ 1-1 draw with Erith & Belvedere on Saturday.

He’s joined the Southern Counties East Premier Division outfit on dual-registration from Margate - and has looked the part.

“He was the big positive from Saturday,” said Smith.

“I thought he was brilliant, so that was a plus for us.

“He’s come off the bench a few times but this was his first start.

“What a player he’ll be in years to come.

“He’s very slight but he’s got the confidence, the arrogance and the swag, so I’ve been very impressed.”

Smith wants to keep Sillince on board for as long as possible and will see how things stand with Gate boss Ben Greenhalgh.

“Ben wants him to be playing,” added Smith. “At the moment we’ve got him and hopefully it might stay that way for the season.”

There’s bad news at the other end of the pitch with centre-half Tom Wynter suffering a hamstring injury against the Deres.

The defender recently returned after two-and-a-half years out with a serious knee injury.

“Tom’s hurt,” said Smith. “I thought it was his knee again but he says it’s his hamstring. He’s been unbelievable for us.

“As an individual and a one-on-one player, he’s been flawless.

“He’s so good to watch, the way he leads, and he loves a battle as well.

“It’s a massive hit for us to lose him. He’s seeing the physio this week so hopefully we’ll find out more.

“I’m just worried he’s over-compensated for his knee maybe.”

Lydd trailed to a ninth-minute Tunde Aderonmu goal but soon had a man advantage after Ernie Cheeseman was sent off.

Smith’s side finally levelled with a Ronnie Dolan penalty on 63 minutes.

“I was really disappointed with the result,” said Smith.

“We were all over them. They had one chance on the counter-attack and scored, which was poor from us, then they had the man sent off.

“We had chance after chance after chance - we just didn’t put them away. It’s two points dropped, not a point gained.”

Lydd, beaten 2-1 at home by Hollands & Blair last Wednesday, visit Newhaven in the FA Vase second qualifying round this Saturday (3pm).

The hosts’ teams includes Jack Shonk, who had a spell at Lydd last season, and veteran non-league goal machine Jake Robinson.