Aspirations for us is to be up there from the word go and see where it takes us, says Beckenham Town assistant manager Billy Walton

BECKENHAM TOWN assistant manager Billy Walton insists the club will not be going into the Isthmian League South East Division just to make up the numbers.

Jason Huntley’s men claimed the Combined Counties League Premier Division South title at the first attempt and make their debut in the Isthmian League tomorrow at Lancing.

“Everyone’s really looking forward to it.  The old cliché it’s been a long time coming, so we’re going to go down there and hopefully give it a real good account of ourselves and start off on the front foot,” said Walton, 60.

“There’s no point going up to this league and trying to survive.  We want to go there and stamp our authority on the game. We’re a good side and hopefully we can win the game.

“I’ve had a few reports sent back to me about them and they’re a well-organised and extremely hard to beat down there, which I’d expect every team in this league to be.  They’re all going to be very hard, as hopefully we will be.

“A lot of people have worked tirelessly to get here and I think it’s about going down there and making the most of it and really enjoying it.

“We had a good season last year and finally got into this league and first and foremost we want to give a good account of ourselves.

“We’re a good side, we’re champions.  Hopefully it will be a good, exciting game, not a tight game.  Hopefully it’s an exciting game and we come out as winners.”

Michael Golding brings his Corinthian side to Eden Park Avenue next Tuesday, although Walton revealed he will not be in the dug-out as Isthmian League football comes to BR3 for the very first time.

Corinthian finished in eighth-place last season and start their campaign off with a home game against Steven Watt's Hythe Town tomorrow at Gay Dawn Farm (16:00).

“Michael’s achieved great things at Corinthian.  They were one of our main rivals from two or three years ago, so we’ll renew our rivalry on Tuesday night and hopefully we get a good win on Saturday and take the momentum forward into another hard game, which is going to be week-in-week-out,” said Walton.

“There will be no easy games but another hard side.  I think Michael’s got a style where his side are extremely hard to beat and work extremely hard.  I think they’re young and enthuastic and we’ll have our work cut out in that game as well.

“Unfortunately I won’t be there as I’m having my knee operation on Tuesday.”

When asked about Beckenham Town’s aspirations for the season in the eighth-tier of English football for the first time, Walton replied: “I don’t believe in all that rubbish personally, ‘we just want to survive’, I wouldn’t do it if we were just going to go and survive!

“Aspirations for us is to be up there from the word go and see where it takes us.  I want to challenge teams.  We’ve got a good team spirit, we’ve got some really good players and I don’t see why we can’t do really well.

“I’m not going to say top three, top four, top six or whatever it is or top 10.  We just want to be up the top end of the league and having a go.”

Walton revealed why he is looking forward to locking horns with current Ashford United manager Tommy Warrilow and pitting his wits against him.

“I’ve known Tommy from back when I played.  I remember when Tommy signed for Hythe Town back in the day, a very good defender.  I’ve known Tommy personally for a good 30 years. We’ve had a few chats together and looking forward to coming up against Tommy.

“I think he’s 1-0 against me when Ashford United beat us 1-0 in The FA Cup Preliminary Round in 2019, so I’d like to go down there and pit my wits against Tom and come out and make it one-all.”

Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division side K Sports caused a FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round upset by beating Whitehawk 3-2 after extra time in Wednesday night’s replay, after George and Ian Batten’s side came away from Brighton with a goal-less draw last weekend.

Beckenham Town host the Paperboys in the Preliminary Round on Saturday 20 August.

“Hopefully I can get out of hospital and I can get to the game next Saturday,” said Walton.

“If you work hard and you take your chances you’ll win games of football.

“A few people were down there watching on Wednesday and they said it wasn’t a particular great game but K Sports took their chances and won.

“It will be interesting to see how Whitehawk react and how they get on against Sittingbourne tomorrow, so there’s a few results that I’m looking forward to seeing on Saturday.”

Lancing  v  Beckenham Town
Isthmian League South East Division
Saturday 13 August 2022
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Culver Road, Lancing, West Sussex BN15 9AX