The Vase is a great distraction from the League, everything about it has a special feel and it’s always nice to test yourselves against sides from different leagues, says Canterbury City boss Ben Smith

CANTERBURY CITY manager Ben Smith says the club are going in the right direction after extending their unbeaten run to seven games.

Canterbury City are sitting in eleventh-place in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table, having collected three wins, four draws and four defeats in the league this season.

City welcome Lydney Town to Homelands Stadium on Saturday in The Buildbase FA Vase First Round.

The Gloucestershire outfit arrive in Ashford sitting in ninth-place in the Hellenic League Premier Division, with a playing record of seven wins, a draw and six defeats.

“There’s a good atmosphere around the squad at the moment,” said Smith.

“We’ve had spells so far this season where we’ve been kicking ourselves for not taking points when playing well and then putting extra pressure on ourselves to put it right.

“Over the last month we’ve just gone back to basics, trying to enjoy our football and took things one game at a time which has worked really well.

“Obviously going seven unbeaten increases the confidence and it’s been nice to finally put some chances away, scoring heavily recently in games when we’re on top.

“Our defensive record is the best in the league currently so we’ve known where our issues have been and the players have stepped up in that regard but we need that consistency with it and between now and Christmas we’ll see what sort of ambitions we can realistically have this season.”

Smith is relishing the chance to facing new opposition on Saturday.

He said: “The Vase is a great distraction from the League, everything about it has a special feel and it’s always nice to test yourselves against sides from different leagues.

“I fancy us to progress as we’re performing well at the moment throughout the squad but then I’m sure their manager would have the same view on them progressing.

“We are without Patrick Nzuzi who is on holiday, but otherwise we are at full strength, which gives me some good headaches to be honest.

“In the past years the Canterbury City team has pretty much picked itself so it’s a good indicator that me, Tim Dixon and Darren Beale are moving things in the right direction.”

Mark Lee’s side go into the game on the back of a 4-0 defeat at Highworth Town in the Hellenic League on Wednesday night.

Visit Canterbury City’s website:  www.canterburycityfc.net

Canterbury City  v  Lydney Town
The Buildbase FA Vase First Round
Saturday 22^nd October 2016
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Homelands Stadium, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NJ