The rancorous midweek reverse away to Leatherhead might have dented Dulwich’s hopes of taking an iron grip on the title race but defeat must surely have galvanised Gavin Rose’s men ahead of the final seven day run in. The title and promotion still remain firmly in their sights with a three point advantage over their rivals from Maidstone United by dint of a win in hand.

Meanwhile their Kentish hosts find themselves all but mathematically safe from the spectre of relegation after their point away to Worthing last Saturday combined with the Hamlet’s routing of the Stags. That left the Bay nine points clear of Walton Casuals in the basement spot, both sides with three games left to play though Herne Bay possesses a vastly superior goal difference. Survival was not enough to save the job of manager Simon Halsey who was shown the door this week. Halsey’s departure came after a 3-1 home defeat to Corinthian-Casuals on Thursday night continued a dismal run of form that had seem the team win just twice in their previous 15 outings, a run of form that had seen them slip down the table from potential playoff contenders to relegation threatened strugglers.

It was a far cry from the early days of the season when the club had marked their debut in the isthmian League with a steady start climbing into a surprise spot by late October. A heavy home defeat at home to then-struggling Worthing knocked them off their perch before a late fight back saw them shock Folkestone Invicta, seemingly cruising at 2-0 up as Dan Wisker’s deflected effort won the game in the 84th minute.

They arrived a week later at Champion Hill in fourth spot, Dulwich then third, proving themselves the antithesis of previous Kentish visitors. Perhaps the Bay were a tad unfortunate to leave Champion Hill empty handed after Kevin James made a late cameo appearance snatching all three points for Dulwich with mere minutes remaining after Dulwich had trailed at half time. Defeat was all the more galling for the Bay for they felt they could, nay should, have been awarded one, even two penalties, spot kicks that even the most hardened of Hamlet fan could find himself arguing with. The following Tuesday night the two sides met again as the Isthmian League Cup draw meant a swift return to town for Herne Bay. This time things were not so close as Daniel Carr struck four times against much changed visitors.

A malaise seemed in from that day, as the Bay had to wait more than two months before claiming their next league victory, a narrow single goal triumph away to Horsham FC. An excellent 4-2 win away to Merstham next out seemed to indicate a turn in fortunes as did a fine point gathered in a 2-2 draw away to Sittingbourne, themselves pushing for promotion. However what looked like a home banker, the visit of Walton Casuals turned into a nightmare as the Stags ran riot in a shock 4-0 victory and from then on it was damage limitation as wins became as rare as rocking horse manure.

Prior to Thursday evening Halsey vowed to keep shuffling his shattered pack as the team’s hectic late season schedule began to catch up with his squad. The Bay won 1-0 against Eastbourne last Wednesday before a 2-2 draw at Worthing less than three days later and a 2-0 reverse back in Sussex at Burgess Hill on Tuesday night. Thursday night’s visit of the Corinthian-Casuals proved to be a bridge too far for the board leaving goalkeeping coach Anthony Deer to take the reins ahead of this afternoon’s encounter.

Though James Turner leads the scoring charts for the Bay in the current campaign, Byron Walker might well prove the greatest threat to Hamlet’s goal this afternoon. A shock return to ranks earlier in the season, Walker was Bay’s leading sharpshooter in last season’s Kent League championship and historic FA Vase run. However trials at League One Oldham Athletic came to naught before he put pen to paper for Conference North side Stalybridge Celtic. Yet the lure of the sea must have proved too much.

This afternoon’s game kicks-off at 3.00 pm at Winch's Field, Stanley Gardens, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 5SG

ADMISSION PRICES

• Adult £8
• Concession £4 (Senior Citizens 65+, Young Persons 12 - 16 years & Youth Coaches with ID)
• Kids £1 (Under 12's & Youth Players with ID)