By Alex Hoad

Herne Bay boss Simon Halsey has two key targets as he begins the search for a new striker after the long anticipated departure of Byron Walker.

The 26-year-old forward (pictured) has joined Cheshire side Stalybridge Celtic, who sit eighth in Blue Square Bet North, after a protracted move away fron Winch’s Field.

The former Chatham, Dover, Ramsgate and Thamesmead man had trials with German side Wiesbaden a year ago and Oldham this summer as he sought a move into full-time football.

He played twice for the Latics in trial games at the end of last season and played in pre-season friendlies against Hull and Fleetwood but failed to earn a contract from manager Paul Dickov, although he has been training with them.

Walker scored 18 league goals for Bay last season and 20 the season before and Halsey admitted: "It’s a big loss for us but good luck to him.

"I’m over the moon for him but he’s not coming back and so we have to move on. I have to look for a prolific striker to make up for his goals.

"I have put in a seven-day approach for a striker from a club at a higher level and have been talking about getting another on loan from a club at a higher level. We’ll have to wait and see."

He added: "I need to do something because I am a bit light at the moment, Tunji Agbaje is on trial at Charlton while George Landais has gone to Tooting."

Herne Bay entertain Worthing in Ryman League Division 1 South on Saturday and the game will kick-off at 1pm after the floodlights at Winch’s Field failed a Ryman League test.

Work is due to be carried out to rectify the problem on Monday, November 12.