We know we are right up against it for the battle for the top four but there is still plenty of points to play for, says Croydon boss Liam Giles

CROYDON manager Liam Giles says his side are now up against it for the battle for the top four promotion spots in the Sea Pioneer Southern Counties East Football League First Division.

The Trams suffered a 3-0 defeat to fellow promotion rivals Rusthall last weekend, a result that sees Croydon sitting in eighth-place in the table with 29 points on the board from their 18 league outings.

Much-fancied Kennington rose to the summit and Dan Scorer’s side have banked 39 points from 19 games and Rusthall are a point behind but with a game in hand.

Rochester United have slipped down to third-place with 38 points from 20 games, while FC Elmstead are fourth with the same points total.

“Last week we were punished by two errors and a lack of concentration against, for me, the best footballing side in the division,” said Giles.

“The 3-0 scoreline doesn’t really reflect the game but Rusthall were better than us on the day and too their chances.”

Croydon welcome sixth-placed side Sporting Club Thamesmead to Croydon Sports Arena tomorrow.

Jason Long’s side have collected 31 points from their 19 league outings and came away from Greenways with a 3-0 win last weekend.

“We play Sporting Club Thamesmead, who are a very good side.  They really did a job on us at their place, so we will be wanting to put that right,” added Giles, who has snapped up a 22-year-old London born player from America.

He said:  “We have added one more since Rusthall in JP Rylah, a former Millwall under 21 player, who has played at Torquay United, Walton Casuals and Chesham United as well as a spell in America and we are happy he has chosen to come on board.

“We know we are right up against it for the battle for the top four but there is still plenty of points to play for.

“I don’t feel like we have hit nowhere near the levels we are capable of hopefully a win tomorrow and will be the start of a much-needed winning run.”

Croydon  v  Sporting Club Thamesmead
Sea Pioneer Southern Counties East Football League First Division
Saturday 18 January 2020
Kick Off 3:00pm
Croydon Sports Arena, Albert Road, South Norwood, London SE25 4QL