Herne Bay manager Steve Lovell explains why friendly at home to Margate will be played on Friday night ahead of double family birthday celebrations

Birthday plans can go-ahead within the Lovell household this weekend – thanks to a little help from Margate.

Isthmian South East Herne Bay host Gate in their latest pre-season friendly tomorrow night.

The warm-up match was organised prior to the arrival of Bay boss Steve Lovell and his son - and assistant - Mark earlier this summer.

Both Steve and Mark celebrate their birthdays on Sunday, the latter turning 40, so a family gathering had been arranged.

That left Bay looking to move their friendly against Gate forward, something the Isthmian Premier outfit have agreed to.

Manager Lovell explained: “The game was organised before me and Mark agreed to come.

“It was arranged for Saturday. But on that Sunday, it’s Mark’s and my birthday.

“Our family has organised a weekend for me and Mark so we asked Margate if they can put it forward. They said ‘Yes’.

“It means we can go-ahead with our plans. It’s Mark’s 40th, so we have got a big do.

“It would have been a bit disappointing to cancel all that.

“But Margate agreed so we’re very grateful to them.”

Bay continued their pre-season preparations with a 5-0 win against Southern Counties East Division 1 Canterbury City on Saturday. Lovell wasn’t entirely happy with what he saw, though.

“It was nice,” he said.

“I was just disappointed with the first half. We created a lot of chances but were not clinical enough. I know it’s pre-season, but we need to get into good habits.

“But I cannot be too critical of the boys.

“They worked really hard and controlled the whole game.”

Trialist Emmanuel Morrison netted, as did Bola Dawodu, Gil Carvalho, Theo Osinfolarin and Samson Maagbe.

“Emmanuel has come to us,” noted Lovell.

“He was recommended to me to have a look at, so I did. He did well on