We have 12 cup finals left and we will see where we end up, says Croydon boss Liam Giles

CROYDON manager Liam Giles says his side has 12 cup finals to play if they are to claim a play-off place in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division.

The Trams four match winning streak came to an end last Saturday when they were held to a 2-2 draw at FC Elmstead at Lower Road.

Croydon are in sixth-place in the league table, having collected 44 points from 26 games and are three points behind fifth-placed Bridon Ropes.

Sutton Athletic are top of the pile with 54 points from 26 games and the play-off places are being contested by Stansfeld (53 points from 23 games), Tooting Bec (50 points from 26 games), Snodland Town (47 points from 27 games) and Bridon Ropes.

“It was a very disappointing day at the office last Saturday. We started well, went 1-0 up and just stepped off the gas,” said Giles.

“The conditions didn’t help, however, it was the same for both sides.

“Elmstead were hungrier than us and worked harder than us and I think a point was probably a fair result in the end.

“As I’ve said there are no easy games in this league and tomorrow I expect another tough game at Staplehurst.”

Staplehurst Monarchs United are in thirteenth-place in the table, having collected 29 points from their 25 games this season in their debut campaign at this level.

“Pretty much everyone has something to play for still at this stage, it’s almost like two leagues now inside the one with the play-off, title race and relegation places,” added Giles.

“We know we will have to work hard and be at the races to take away three points tomorrow.

“The last month we have been able to get the majority of our injured players back and this has been a big issue this season for us and there’s no surprise we have put a run of results together.

“We have 12 cup finals left and we’re taking one game at a time and we will see where we end up.”

Giles has 17-goal Richard Pingling back after missing the last four months with a hamstring injury and has secured the signings of full-backs Mo Dabo (for his fourth spell at Croydon) and Tristan Noel for the rest of the season from Isthmian League South Central side Sutton Common Rovers.

“We have also signed 17-year-old Conor Giblin, who I believe has a bright future ahead of him,” added the Croydon boss.

Staplehurst Monarchs United  v  Croydon
Southern Counties East Football League First Division
Saturday 26 February 2022
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Jubilee Sports Ground, Headcorn Road, Staplehurst, Kent TN12 0DS