Herne Bay boss Steve Lovell drawing inspiration from Chatham Town’s rapid rise as Bay end pre-season against Kevin Hake’s side

Boss Steve Lovell hopes Herne Bay’s squad can draw inspiration from Chatham's rapid rise.

Isthmian South East Bay are set to host the Isthmian Premier club in their last pre-season friendly on Saturday before the competitive action starts at Littlehampton next weekend.

Kevin Hake’s Chatham team reached the Isthmian Premier play-off final last campaign, losing 3-0 to Enfield, as they narrowly missed out on a third successive promotion.

Ex-Gillingham manager Lovell said: “It’s great that they’re coming down.

“Their season starts at the same time as ours so we will be preparing in the same way.

"I think Kev and everyone at the club has done a tremendous job. They’re a very strong club.

“It will be a good test for us. I’m looking forward to seeing how they play.

“They’re one of the clubs we look up to with how they have developed the club - not just on the field - but off the field, as well.

"We’re looking to emulate them.

“But it will be nice once that’s out of the way because we can then get ready for the league, fine-tuning next week and getting ready to start next Sunday.”

Herne Bay were 4-2 winners at home against a youthful Gillingham XI on Tuesday.

“It was very good,” reflected Lovell, the Welshman having had three spells at Priestfield. “I think they have got some really good young players.

“I watched them play at Sheppey on Friday and they played really well. They did well on Tuesday - as we did, as well.

"I think everybody enjoyed it.

“It was a good run-out for our players. A lot of them got 90 minutes - or at least 75 minutes - and we got some goals.

“It was a good game, played in a competitive spirit.”

Striker Mike Salako bagged a hat-trick for Bay while substitute Josh Reid found the target.

“He’s a goalscorer,”