Herne Bay boss Ben Smith looks ahead to FA Cup tie at Hendon

It’s back to FA Cup action for Herne Bay this Saturday as they travel to Hendon in the Third Qualifying Round.

Facing the Southern Premier South side is a trip in the unknown for Bay boss Ben Smith, but one he is relishing having defeated Horsham and Ashford so far.

“I always say that I prefer playing a team from outside our league. I have not come up against Hendon before so I like that,” said Smith.

“They won’t know a lot about us, we won’t know an awful lot about them. That’s great.

“I think that’s what the FA Cup is about. On paper, they’ll fancy their chances against us and, on paper looking at where they are, we’ll fancy our chances against them. It’s a 50-50 game.

“It could have been worse, we could have drawn someone like Ebbsfleet away! I think both clubs will say it’s a good draw.”

Hendon, who sit third-bottom having won just once in the league, have beaten Potton United (5-1) and Bay’s league rivals Wingate & Finchley (3-1) to reach this stage.

The winner of the Third Qualifying Round tie will earn £5,625 in prize money.

Bay remain bottom of Isthmian Premier but earned a 1-1 draw at high-flying Aveley last weekend through Rory Smith’s effort. They fought back after a controversial penalty put the hosts ahead.

A strong Herne Bay side thrashed Isthmian South East VCD 7-1 in the Kent Senior Cup First Round on Tuesday.

There were braces for Mason Saunders-Henry and Kymani Thomas, along with goals for Keano Robinson, Chris Edwards and first-team debutant Zeus McCully.

Centre-back Laurence Harvey was handed his first start of the season while McCully was joined by Euan Bunn and Monty Saunders who were also making their senior bows as they came off the bench.

Defender Lexus Beeden has left Herne Bay and joined