Hopefully we can get on a good run and find the much needed consistency to mount a real title challenge, says Croydon boss Liam Giles

CROYDON manager Liam Giles says he wants his side to find the much-needed consistency to mount a serious title challenge.

The Trams have slipped down to fourth-place in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division table and are one of three clubs sitting on 26 points in the play-off zone.

Stansfeld are top of the pile with 30 points from 13 games, while the play-off places are currently occupied by Tooting Bec (30 points from 14 games), Bridon Ropes (26 points from 13), Croydon (26 points from 14) and Larkfield & New Hythe (26 points from 15).

Croydon have been involved in cup ties in three of their last five games.  They thrashed Kent County League Premier Division side Peckham Town 6-1 in the London Senior Trophy, before losing 2-0 at home to Chatham Town in the Kent Senior Trophy First Round, before winning 5-4 on penalties after their Surrey Senior Cup tie at Redhill finished all-square at 2-2.

They went down to a 3-2 league defeat at Sutton Athletic before they were held to a surprise 2-2 home draw by Faversham Strike Force last weekend.

“It has been a very frustrating couple of weeks. I felt that we dominated both games, created more than enough chances but somehow only picked up one point from six,” said Giles, who takes his side to bottom-four side Sporting Club Thamesmead tomorrow.

“I’m expecting a tough game tomorrow against a bogey side of ours, who will be even more of a threat as they have re-signed Tim Beckford, who started the season with us.

“We still have a lot of injuries within the squad, however, we are boosted this week with the signing of Kayode Conteh, who has signed from Isthmian League South Central side Ashford Town (Middlesex).

“As for our league position, sitting four points behind the leaders we are in and around where we would want to be at this stage of the season.

“Hopefully we can get on a good run and find the much needed consistency to mount a real title challenge.”

Striker Beckford scored six goals for Croydon before making his return to Bayliss Avenue and has already scored once for Aaron Jeffrey’s relegation-threatened side.

The Acre beat Lydd Town 3-2 in their last outing and have banked 12 points from their 13 league games, a point clear of the relegation zone, which currently has Staplehurst Monarchs United, Meridian VP and Chessington & Hook United fighting it out to beat the drop.

Sporting Club Thamesmead  v  Croydon
Southern Counties East Football League First Division
Saturday 6 November 2021
Kick Off 2:00pm
at Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London SE28 8NJ