3rddec05

Saturday 03rd December 2005

We must take our chances, insist new Sevenoaks managers
EXCLUSIVE

Bob Pittaway and Derek Moore have taken steps to bring in new players as they attempt to lift Sevenoaks Town off the foot of the Kentish Observer League table, writes Stephen McCartney.

The former Dartford reserve team management team have taken positives out from their first game in charge at the helm of the Greatness Park outfit - despite losing 3-1 at home to Slade Green yesterday, where "naivety" cost them at least a point.

With three new players in the side, James Short (70) pulled a goal back for the home club after Mark Penny gave Slade Green a 27th minute lead.

But two goals from Jason Elliott (44) and Tony Gallagher (73) piled more misery on Sevenoaks, who have collected only four points from their first 12 league games of the season.

In an EXCLUSIVE interview with www.kentishfootball.co.uk, Pittaway reflected on his first game in charge. "I would say that in the first half we had chances but we didn't take them," he said. "Slade Green had two or three chances and they took them.

"We were a bit undisciplined in defence, not only as a defensive unit but as a team.

"It wasn't until the second half when we changed it around and got a bit of pride back in the team and organised it and got the shape right that we came into our own.

"We got a goal back, then through naivety we conceded another goal and I think really a draw would have been a fairer result."

And Moore admitted: "Naivety at set pieces cost us dearly - that's the bottom line of it. Two goals conceded from set pieces, we should have prevented that."

The new managers have worked fast to draft in three new players, and Moore praised the players that performed well, including former Bromley midfielder Kris Hollidge.

"Bright spots were the new signings," he said. "I thought Dexley Fidyk done well, and so did Chris Wynter. Kris Hollidge, Andy Mills and Joe Berry fought well.

"We had numerous chances first half, which on another day would have gone in from Dexley, Keith Moore and Kris.

"We could quite easily have gone in at half-time 3-2 to the good - but that's the difference between winning and losing."

Pittaway and Moore also promised to strengthen their squad further, and Moore revealed: "We have got a number of seven-day approaches out requesting to talk to players and we are expecting to make some significant signings in the next week."

Erith & Belvedere, who defeated Lordswood 2-0 at Park View Road yesterday to move above Thamesmead Town in third place, visit Greatness Park next Saturday, 10th December (3pm).