29thnov04

Lordswood aiming to win bottom of the table clash

LORDSWOOD manager Paul Piggott was delighted with the performance of his side in Saturday's Kent Senior Trophy second round victory over Herne Bay - and will be looking to carry that form into Tuesday night's bottom-of-the-table clash with Greenwich Borough at North Dane Way, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Medway side found themselves 2-0 down against Herne Bay - who were giving them a lesson in attacking football - before changes during the interval had the desired effect and Lordswood won through 5-3 after extra time.

The Lordswood manager insisted: "It was a good win for us."

"In the first half, they took us apart really, playing some really good stuff, and gave us a bit of a lesson in attacking football.

"But we went deservedly 2-0 down and they were murdering us, but we had a little change at half-time, we made a substitution with Ray Broad replacing Mike Cunningham, changed the formation and we went three up top and we got back into the game slowly.

"And competed against a good Herne Bay side.

"We came back to two-all, which I thought was deserved, and then we went into extra time, and I thought we were the only team in it from there."

Piggott, however, praised striker Scott Bucklen - who scored four of Lordswood's five goals.

"Everything he touched turned to gold during the second half," Piggott said.

Lordswood, with only ten league games under their belts, face a busy schedule in the next couple of weeks as they look to climb away from second from last spot in the table.

After the visit of Greenwich Borough on Tuesday, they host fourth placed side Sporting Bengal United on Saturday.  Another tough game, this time at Greatness Park against a Sevenoaks Town side who have scored 28 goals in 14 games, shipping 35, follows on Tuesday 7th December before they make the trip to the Small Glen to face fellow strugglers Slade Green on Saturday 11th December.

Speaking about the bottom two clash against Greenwich Borough, Piggott admitted: "it's a must-win game for us.

"We've turned it around slowly in the last month and a half, and we need to go and beat sides in and around us in the league.

"It won't be easy because they will be aiming for the same thing."

Borough will be looking to bounce back after their disappointing defeat at British Energy Kent County League side Stansfield & Oxford Bermondsey Club in the second round of the Kent Senior Trophy on Saturday.

The Harrow Meadow outfit were 1-0 down after 15 minutes and Steve Mckenzie made sure the game went into extra time with a goal after 67 minutes, but went out of the competition - losing 9-8 on penalties.

Sporting Bengal United, however, may be surprising many people this time round, after finishing their first campaign rooted to the bottom of the table last season.

"They have got to grips with the league now after last season, and doing well for themselves in the league and we will be hoping to get something out of the game."

Praising strikers Andy Doerr and Bucklen, Piggott added: "They have been doing well for us.  They are two youngsters who are both very keen but proving to be very good players for us."

Lordswood, who were watched by 83 fans against Herne Bay on Saturday, will be looking for a similar crowd for the visit of Greenwich on Tuesday.

So anyone looking to watch a game on Tuesday night, should make the trip to North Dane Way, next to Lordswood Sports & Social Club, but a taxi-ride from Chatham train station and back.



Lordswood v Greenwich Borough
Go Travel Kent League Premier Division
Tuesday 30th November 2004
Kick Off 7:30pm
at North Dane Way, Walderslade, Chatham