Ramsgate assistant manager Darren Beale on the prospect of facing record goalscorer Joe Taylor against Billericay and the need to tighten up defensively

Darren Beale expects Ramsgate record goalscorer Joe Taylor to line up against his old club this weekend.

Taylor left Rams for National League South Hornchurch over the summer but has since joined Billericay in the Isthmian Premier.

He’s featured from the bench in the past couple of games but Rams assistant manager Beale believes the striker will start when the sides meet at the New Lodge on Saturday (3pm).

Taylor scored 101 goals in two seasons in his most recent spell at Ramsgate, captaining them to the Isthmian South East title.

“It’ll be interesting,” said Beale.

“I’m sure they’ll play him against his old club from the start.

“We know a lot of JT’s strengths and we’ve got to deal with him.

“On his day, he’s going to be a handful, so we’ve got to be on it, no doubt about it.

“He’s a tough player to come up against and definitely tough opposition in Billericay.

“To have done so well for Ramsgate, and his goal record speaks for itself, it will be a strange day for him.

“But, at the end of the day, he’s a striker, he wants to score goals and whether that’s against us or whoever, that’s what he’s going out to do.”

Beale says Ramsgate are working hard to tighten up defensively after conceding 18 goals in their opening six games in league and cup.

They led Cray Valley at half-time in the FA Cup first qualifying round on Saturday, courtesy of a Mitchell May goal.

But a soft penalty, awarded against Harry Webster, was converted by Tom Beere just after the break and the Millers added a quick second through Dan Ajakaiye.

The match ended 2-1 as Rams lost to Cray Valley for the second weekend running following a 4-1 league defeat.

“It was frustrating - that’s the word at the moment,” said Beale.

“First half, we were very