Ultimately the league is our bread and butter this season as we want to return to the Premier at the first time of asking but we would like to have a good cup run so hopefully we can get a result and advance to the next round, says Croydon boss Liam Giles

CROYDON manager Liam Giles says he would like to enjoy a good cup run as well as winning promotion at the end of the season.

The Trams make the trip to Gillingham to tackle Hollands & Blair in the Kent Senior Trophy Preliminary Round tomorrow.

Simon Halsey has guided Hollands & Blair to sixth-place in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table with 16 points from nine games and they stunned leaders Chatham Town by beating them 1-0 at home on Wednesday night.

Croydon, meanwhile, go into the game sitting in third-place in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division table, having collected 13 points from seven games.

“We are looking forward to a break away from the league tomorrow and getting to test ourselves against a team going well in the Premier Division,” said Giles.

“We will be looking to keep our winning run going after the last two wins but we know this will be a very tough game.

“We are scoring goals, which I am pleased about but not so pleased at the other end where we are conceding too many.

“We have had a lot of injuries and haven’t been able to have a settled back line for some weeks now.”

After being knocked out of The FA Vase in the Second Qualifying Round by losing 3-1 at home to Colliers Wood United, Croydon have bounced back by beating Bridon Ropes 6-2 and Lydd Town 3-2 in the league.

“Last Saturday we was in full control against Lydd at 3-0 when we switched off, which is something you can never do in football,” said Giles.

“The result made the game look a lot closer than it should have been and fair play to Lydd for never going up and causing a tense finish to the game.

“I am hoping within the next two weeks to have all of my injured players back in training,  so we can have a fully fit squad to choose from.

“We have missed our skipper Charlie Defty the last two games so we are pleased he is back available tomorrow as he brings a huge amount of experience to our side.

“Ultimately the league is our bread and butter this season as we want to return to the Premier at the first time of asking but we would like to have a good cup run so hopefully we can get a result and advance to the next round.”

Meanwhile, Croydon’s home game against Charlton-based side Meridian VP on Saturday 12 October has been titled Pay As You Want Day, as Croydon target attracting 200 fans to Croydon Sports Arena on Non-League Day.

Hollands & Blair  v  Croydon
Kent Senior Trophy Preliminary Round
Saturday 28 September 2019
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Star Meadow, Darland Avenue, Gillingham, Kent ME7 3AN