Herne Bay boss Steve Lovell says on-loan Gillingham teenager Taite Holtam and fellow keeper Harry Brooks are bringing the best out of each other ahead of away FA Cup trip

Goalkeepers Taite Holtam and Harry Brooks are helping bring the best out of each other for Herne Bay, manager Steve Lovell believes.

Bay kept a first clean sheet this season as they played out a goalless Isthmian South East derby at Margate on Bank Holiday Monday.

On-loan Gillingham youngster Holtam was between the sticks at Hartsdown Park but
Brooks has been the club’s FA Cup No.1 with 19-year-old Holtam unavailable.

“Both of them have done well,” said Lovell. “It’s a difficult situation.

“I got Taite in because Harry got injured in one of the last pre-season games and I saw what Taite could bring.

“Because Taite can’t be cup-tied, Harry has come in for the cup games and done well.

“It’s good to have competition in all areas. I think it’s spurring the two of them on.

“Taite has done well. What he had to do on Monday, he did very well.

“I like the way he commands his penalty box. He has a good presence about him.

“He’s a good keeper and he’s still only young.

“I think Taite definitely has a good future ahead of him.”

Young defender Skye Salmon has also forced his way into Herne Bay’s line-up, starting against Margate.

Lovell said: “He’s come in and done really well.

“Skye came to us in pre-season and we had him for a few games. He wasn’t in my plans at the start of pre-season but he’s played his way in.

“He wants to learn and get better. He’s a good lad.

“He’s played the last couple of games and done really well.

“Skye has forced his way in the team and there’s no reason to leave him out at the moment.”

Another to start for Lovell’s side was Scott Heard as the crucial midfielder made his first
competitive appearance of the campaign.

“Heardy has been away,” stated Bay’s boss. “We have missed him. He brings good energy.

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