Conference pair get campaigns underway

Wednesday 09th August 2006

Two of our top clubs get their Nationwide Conference campaigns underway on Saturday.

Our sole side in the Nationwide Conference, Gravesend & Northfleet travel to Aldershot Town whilst Nationwide Conference South outfit Welling United welcome Weston-Super-Mare to Park View Road.

Former Gillingham striker Akwasi Edusei, who was injured in a pre-season friendly against Grays Athletic, looks certain to be available for selection as Wings boss Adrian Pennock is optimistic the new striker will be ready.

Eduesi has been training all week with the Wings and looks to have fully recovered from his injury.

New signings Mark Goodfellow, Luke Holmes and Ellis Green are all available for selection.

But Leon Solomon looks unlikely to take any part on the opening day, as the young defender is suffering with a knee injury.

Midfielder Matt Bodkin, who broke his arm against Folkestone Invicta, still has a 50/50 chance of being fully fit.

Welling travel to Lewes next Wednesday.

Gravesend & Northfleet have completed the signings of former Crystal Palace goalkeeper Lance Cronin and former Charlton Athletic defender, Mark Ricketts.

Cronin, 20, came through the youth system at Crystal Palace but failed to make a first team appearance at Selhurst Park.

He moves to Stonebridge Road after spells at Shrewsbury Town, Wycombe Wanderers and at Oldham Athletic, where he made one substitute appearance in an FA Cup tie.

Fleet manager Liam Daish is delighted to have made the signing in view of the injury sustained by Craig Holloway which will keep him sidelined for most of the new season:

He told www.gnfc.co.uk :"Craig has been very unfortunate, but Lance comes to us very highly recommended. He has played two pre season games for us and I have been impressed by him in training where he has also worked with Ron Hillyard our goalkeeping coach."

Ricketts, 21, was born in Sidcup and was released by the Addicks at the end of last season.

He was a prominent member of Charlton's reserve side in 2003/2004 before joining MK Dons on loan last term.

By arriving at Stonebridge Road he joins a growing community of former Charlton players which includes Charlie MacDonald, Stacy Long and Mark DeBolla.

"Mark can play at right back or centre half,” Daish, who now had an eighteen man squad, added.

“So he is exactly the type of versatile defender I have been looking for to complete my squad going into the new season.”

Don’t forget Nationwide Conference football returns to Stonebridge Road next Tuesday when Tamworth visit, kick off 7:45pm.

Saturday 12^th August 2006
Nationwide Conference
Aldershot Town v Gravesend & Northfleet
3pm, at Recreation Ground, High Street, Aldershot

Nationwide Conference South
Welling United v Weston-Super-Mare
3pm, at Park View Road, Welling

Visit the Gravesend & Northfleet website: www.gnfc.co.uk

Visit the revamped Welling United website: www.wellingunited.com