2ndaug05

Tuesday 02nd August 2005

Daish relishing Exeter opener
EXCLUSIVE

Gravesend & Northfleet manager Liam Daish is pleased his new signings have settled at the Stonebridge Road club, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Fleet open their Nationwide Conference campaign on Saturday, 13th August when Exeter City make the long trip to Kent.

And this game will be the Fleet's first league game as a full-time club.

Daish is pleased he has solved his goalkeeping crisis and has high hopes for Aaron Kerr and Craig Holloway.

In an EXCLUSIVE interview with www.kentishfootball.co.uk, Daish admitted: "It took a little while. It was basically wanting to get the right one and not sign anybody for the sake of signing goalkeepers.

"So in Craig and Aaron I feel I've got two goalkeepers that are an improvement, on full-time basis, which will be an improvement on the club from last year."

Daish is benefiting from full-time status and is pleased everything is now clicking into place ahead of their league opener.

"That's part of the reason for going full-time, was hopefully improve the playing side of the club.

"If we didn't think it would improve the playing side of the club, we wouldn't have done it."

And when asked what everybody can expect from an (almost) full-time side, Daish replied: "Hopefully a team that's going to create chances and play positive football."

Manny Omoyinmi scored the only goal of the game in Fleet's win at Ryman League division one side Hastings United at the weekend.

"I think with the turnaround (in players) it's taken time as it's been a bit stop start but the players have got to know each other well," said Daish.

"For anyone who was at the Hastings game saw it was a real team performance and only though we won 1-0 it could have been four's or fives, but more importantly the players were working hard for each other."

Daish takes his side to East Thurrock United tonight, and is expecting another physical battle against the Ryman Premier League new boys.

"Hastings were physical and East Thurrock will be physical and a good test, but we know what we are about now, and after Saturday everyone knows what's expected."

Daish's men then tackle Charlton Athletic in their final pre-season friendly, at Stonebridge Road on Monday night.

And with many new signings Daish admits he has signed the right players.

"They are a good set of honest lads who want to do well and the attraction for them was being full-time footballers and they've come here for the right reasons," he said.

Daish is relishing the big kick-off against the Devon side.

"I think Exeter will be there or there abouts, they are a strong side and a force.

"It's a good game to start off with, a high profile game at home and it's a good game for all the players to play in.

"I will say Exeter are more used to being full-time than we are, but I think everyone will be looking forward to that game on Saturday week."