Dalers underdogs for their historic night, claims Beckingham

HOLMESDALE expect a crowd of over 300 to attend their first ever Bulmers Cider Kent League game underneath their new floodlights on Tuesday night, writes Stephen McCartney.

Beckenham Town make the 10-mile round trip to the Dalers’ home ground at Oakley Road in Bromley and manager Tony Beckingham is looking forward to the historic clash.

 

LET THERE BE LIGHT:  Holmesdale welcome local rivals Beckenham Town to Oakley Road on Tuesday night in what will be their first competitve fixture underneath their new floodlights.
Photograph courtesy of www.holmesdalefc.co.uk


“It’s our first official fixture but obviously we’ve already used the lights, tested them,” he told www.kentishfootball.co.uk this afternoon.

“The last thing we wanted is to have any problems on the night, so it’s the first official fixture with the lights and we’re all looking forward to it, especially it being a local derby against one of the four sides who think they can win it.

“Beckenham will be one of the favourites to win it again this year.”

Football supporters are expected to come from far and wide and the club is boosted that there is only one other game taking place in the Garden of England that night - the Blue Square South game between Welling United and Braintree Town at Park View Road.

“I think we’re the only league fixture that night so I would imagine we’d get a good crowd and hope for general interest to have a look to see what the ground looks like to a season or two ago when it was very different,” said Beckingham.

“When you walk into the ground you feel like you’re walking into a football club and the lights make an unbelievable difference.”

Holmesdale lost the services of one of their coaches last week.

Erith Town manager Mark Tompkins decided to quit last Wednesday and Steve O’Boyle was installed as the new Dockers’ manager the following day.

Tompkins rapidly signed for one of his former clubs, Croydon, and scored the Trams’ last goal in their 5-2 home win over Lordswood yesterday.

“I’m very sorry to see Steve go because he brought a lot to the club,” said Beckingham.

“He’s a really nice bloke and a great character to have around and knowledgeable on his football.

“It’s a big shame he had to go and he would have been a big fool to turn down that opportunity (to manage Erith Town).

“Apparently Mark Tompkins left and Steve got a phone call literally immediately the morning or afternoon and was offered the job on the spot and he made the right direction.

“He’s done really well at Thamesmead’s reserves and wanted to be the number one in his own right and no one can blame him for what he’s done and I personally wish him all the best.”

This now leaves the first-team management team of Beckingham, Tim Thurgood and Hugo Langton, a summer arrival from Vandanel Kent County League side Rusthall.

“Some would say we were top heavy with management but it’s worked well,” explained Beckingham.

“Hugo’s come in as club coach, he’s a really good coach. Hugo took charge of a good session yesterday and it was nice for me and Tim to observe.

“It was nice to take a back seat. We tell Hugo what we’re after, how we want the team to play and he’s putting on the sessions, which is good.”

Holmesdale kick off only their second Bulmers Cider Kent League campaign against a Beckenham Town side that drew 1-1 at Deal Town yesterday.

“We’re going to be massive underdogs in the game, so quite rightly so,” admitted Beckingham.

“They’ve been a quality side for several seasons in the Kent League and all I’m looking for is a good performance and if we do, we’re hopeful for a good result.

“The good performance will make me happy. If we get anything it’s a bonus but as long as we play well and compete, then I will be happy.”

Goalkeeper Danny Harwood, who has played for the likes of Erith & Belvedere (in their Southern League days), Bromley (Ryman League) and Croydon (Kent League) has signed for the Dalers again this season and his experience will be vital for the season ahead.

New arrivals include Jason Thompson (Beckenham Town), Lee Morgan (Erith & Belvedere), Charlie Corneille (unattached), three players that arrive from O’Boyle’s former club, Thamesmead Town, which are Tom McCrae, Steve Diamond and Danny Parrish, and Langton brings in Gary Stock and Peter Afalayan from Rusthall.

Beckingham gave an insight on his new signings.

“We’ve signed Jason Thompson from Beckenham. He’s a left-footer but can play left side or in the midfield. He’s a very good footballer,” he said.

“We’ve signed Lee Morgan from Erith & Belvedere. He’s actually played centre half and centre midfield (for the Deres) but he fancies himself as a centre forward so we’re giving him an opportunity to back up his boasts.

“We’ve signed Charlie Corneille. He hasn’t really been playing anywhere for a while. He came for a trial and played in a friendly and was very impressive so we signed him - he plays centre midfield or anywhere in the midfield really.

“We’ve got Tom McCrae, he’s a centre half and he came with Steve O’Boyle from Thamesmead. Steve Diamond, he’s another Thamesmead lad - he’s a wide midfield player.

“A young lad, whose signed, Danny Parrish, arrives from Thamesmead youth. He scored 30 plus goals last season and he’s been a big bonus. We were looking for him to play in the reserves. He played in a couple of reserve games and has earned the right to be in the first team squad.

“We’ve signed Gary Stock and Peter Afalayan from Rusthall. Gary Stock is a centre midfield player, just getting himself fit at the moment and Peter Afalayan, I’d say he’s a forward and he’s getting himself fit so they’re players I’m looking at to be introduced to the first team in the not so distant future.”

Looking ahead to the nine months ahead, Beckingham outlined his aspirations, adding: “I’m looking, as a club, for improvement. For me, if we can finish midtable, which is a realistic target, and next year we’ll look to improve again and each season we’re looking at small steps to get better.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game - only our second ever visit to Oakley Road.

Visit Holmedale’s website:  www.holmesdalefc.co.uk

Visit Beckenham Town’s website:  www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk

Holmesdale v Beckenham Town
Bulmers Cider Kent League
Tuesday 12^th August 2008
Kick Off 7:45pm
At 68 Oakley Road, Bromley, Kent BR2 8HQ