Simon Halsey has dismissed fears there could be a problem with Herne Bay’s discipline this season.

Bay had Ben Brown sent off and James Campbell, Nathan Eastwood, Tom Parker and Tom Bryant booked in their 3-2 Kent League Challenge Shield defeat by VCD on Saturday.

But manager Halsey said: "The red card could have gone either way.

"One of the bookings was for dissent – which I won’t stand for – but the other three were just the opinion of Nick Dunn, the referee, on what he deemed a foul.

"If players get in trouble for misconduct then it will come out of their pocket but we don’t have any dirty players here."

VCD led 3-0 before Bay cut the gap with a late own-goal and a Calum McGeehan strike.

"The bookies have faith in Halsey’s team and have made them 16/1 seventh favourites to win the Ryman League Division 1 South title at the first attempt.

Halsey said: "I didn’t know that but I’m really pleased to hear it.

"It gives us something to aim for and it’s nice to hear people believe in us as a team."

There’s a change to Bay’s pre-season schedule on Saturday.

Staveley Miners Welfare have pulled out so Bay will travel to Greatness Park to play Kent League side Sevenoaks Town.