Herne Bay player-manager Liam Friend ready for first competitive match in charge as Bay visit Hollands & Blair in FA Cup extra preliminary round

Player-boss Liam Friend is confident Herne Bay will be ready for the big kick-off - but accepts actions will speak louder than words.

Friend takes charge of his first competitive game when they visit Darren Blackburn’s Hollands & Blair team in the FA Cup extra preliminary round this weekend.

Herne Bay have enjoyed an decent run of warm-up matches under Friend, particularly in recent weeks, and Friend reckons he knows what system they will play - and who will feature in it - during their season opener.

“I’m pretty confident with the shape we’re going to play,” said Friend, talking ahead of their pre-season-ending friendly against Welling, which ended in a 1-0 loss in midweek to Lee Martin’s Isthmian Premier Wings.

“I’m pretty confident with my starting XI, as well, but that can change. Some people missed Tuesday but should be back for Saturday.

“It’s up to the players to keep their shirt in each game and each training session.

"We think we’re ready but the proof will be in the pudding.

“We just want to get started, we’re ready.”

While Hollands & Blair started their Southern Counties East Premier Division campaign with a 1-0 win over Phoenix Sports at the weekend, Bay’s Isthmian South East season will begin at newly-promoted Hassocks seven days after the cup clash.

Friend said: “They have got a 3G pitch there.

“They had a good start to the season on Saturday, beating Phoenix Sports, who had a really good pre-season. But Hollands & Blair got a great result against them.

“Obviously, we’re a higher league than them, but I’m sure they’ll fancy getting into the next round.

“It’s our job to carry on what we have been doing, going into the league stuff.”

Bay played Hollands & Blair in a pre-season friendly at Winch's Field, which