Herne Bay player-manager Liam Friend hoping Jordan Ababio can hit ground running this season after bagging brace in 7-2 pre-season friendly win over Hythe Town; Bay draw 2-2 with Dartford in midweek

Liam Friend hopes Herne Bay winger Jordan Ababio can hit the ground running this season.

Ababio got Bay’s first two goals in the opening 15 minutes of last weekend’s eventful 7-2 pre-season friendly win at home to lower-division Hythe for the Eddie ‘Titch’ Willett Memorial Shield.

Friend and Ababio, now 24, first came across one another at Margate in the 2018/19 season - and the former is relishing working alongside the latter once more.

Bay player-manager Friend said: “He came to the first session, then went on holiday.

“He played 90 minutes almost straight away on his return. The next game, he then played 75 minutes and Saturday was another 90 minutes for him.

"He has done well.

“I’ve known him since he was 16. He was at Margate.

“I’ve tried to get hold of him at various points but, now, we have. He wants to score and get assists, and he’s a great lad.

“He has hit the ground running and, hopefully, that leads into the season.”

Another to stand out against Ira Jackson’s Hythe side was Frankie Smith, netting as he played in the first 45 minutes and also claiming an assist.

While left-sided player Smith has primarily played in defence, Friend has been playing him in a more advanced position.

“Frankie has played left-back, right-back and left-wing,” said Friend. “We need to be a bit careful with him after last year when he had a few injuries.

“But I wouldn’t mind being ‘unfit’ and being as quick as he is! We’re just trying to manage him.

“He got a bit of a whack to the thigh on Saturday. Rhys Wyborn has come in at left-back and done a really good job.

“It helps that Frankie can play in a few positions. We had a chat and he’s said he can play in any position - apart from in goal and up front.

“I certainly hope I won’t have