Plenty of positives from first Isthmian South East season with Herne Bay for boss Steve Lovell despite no play-off position; Title-chasing Cray Valley PM next

There is plenty for Herne Bay to build on - despite missing out on the play-offs this season - manager Steve Lovell believes.

Bay’s derby defeat at home against Sheppey last weekend ended their hopes of a top-five Isthmian South East finish.

While Lovell doesn’t necessarily reckon his squad have overachieved given the quality they have, he and son-assistant Mark Lovell were only ever really expected to consolidate at Step 4 this term after Isthmian Premier relegation last season and a tumultuous summer.

“At the start of the season, we started very well,” he said.

“That paves the way for the rest of the season.

“If you have a poor start, you can find yourself fighting relegation. But that (a good start) meant our momentum was going towards the top-end of the table, rather than the bottom.

“We were in that position and just kept going. If you get close, that’s brilliant for the club and the supporters.

“I don’t know if we have over-achieved because the players are good enough. Only two
teams can go up - the other 18 won’t - so we have done well to finish where we will finish.

“It’s something to build on next year. The majority (of the players) will be with us next year.

“We just need to add a couple more.”

Seventh-placed Bay could still finish either a place higher or lower than where they are now - not that Lovell is too concerned!

He said: “It doesn’t make much difference for us now.

“We know we’re not making the play-offs. It doesn’t make a difference if we come sixth, eighth or 15th.”

They were edged out 2-1 by Ernie Batten’s Ites, another team who are just going to miss
out on the play-offs, in front of a 582-strong crowd at Winch’s Field.

Lovell reflected: “It was a good game. Again, we let ourselves down.

“We gave