Herne Bay player-boss Liam Friend speaks glowingly about new Sittingbourne manager and close mate Reece Prestedge ahead of Brickies’ Isthmian South East trip to Winch’s Field

Liam Friend has spoken glowingly of new Sittingbourne manager Reece Prestedge ahead of Herne Bay’s derby against the Brickies.

Prestedge has enjoyed a fine start at Woodstock since he replaced Ryan Maxwell last month.

The former midfielder is close mates with Bay player-boss Friend, Prestedge even helping out at Herne Bay earlier this season.

But there’ll be no sentiment when the teams meet in Isthmian South East at Winch’s Field this Saturday.

Friend revealed: “I played with him at Margate and we have stayed in touch. We talk to each other most days.

“When Tom Wynter (Bay’s No.2) was away in October, he stepped in. He was going to have one more game with us - then the Sittingbourne job became available.

“Obviously, he absolutely went with my blessing. I’m sure he will do a good job.

"We were two angry team-mates, shouting at each other, but we’ve managed to stay good mates!”

The Brickies made it five wins out of five under Prestedge with a 2-1 success against Hassocks on Tuesday.

Friend watched the midweek home game to assess what tactical changes Prestedge has implemented since he took over.

“I taught him everything he knows,” joked Friend. “They have won every game under him.

“Their league position, when he came in, was a little bit false. We watched them on Tuesday to see how they have changed under the new manager.

“If we can show what we’re about, it will be a good game.

"They’re a good team and have got some good players - but so do we.”

Striker Alfie Bloomfield netted for the second straight game in the second half as Bay fought back in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Hassocks.

Centre-back Friend, who returned from an 18-day injury lay-off, reflected: “I was really disappointed in our performance, with our work-rate