DAY OF DESTINY

Friday 21st April 2006

Full credit must go to the players and the management teams of Beckenham Town and Maidstone United for such an exciting and nail biting title race, writes Stephen McCartney.

But at 5pm tomorrow we will know which side have clinched the Kentish Observer League championship - on the last day of the season.

However, Kent League officials face a major headache tomorrow, deciding which ground they should take the silverware.

Over at Park View Road, Welling, leaders Beckenham Town are assured the title if they win at in-form side Erith & Belvedere, who are currently in fourth place.

But Maidstone United will be keeping tabs of that game as they are expected to rattle up a cricket score against basement boys Sevenoaks Town – 21 miles away at Greatness Park in Sevenoaks.

However, the Kent League website explained the situation. A day which will make the telephone companies a lot of money as fans telephone grounds to check latest scores.

“In what has been one of the most competitive seasons in a long while, it’s crunch day for Beckenham Town and Maidstone United on Saturday in their challenge for the title.

”The maths are simple. Beckenham need to win to be crowned champions, whilst any slip up and a victory for Maidstone will see the Stones snatch the title.

”It’s also a thriller for third spot with three teams in with a shout. Thamesmead Town currently hold that position and once again, victory will ensure a third place spot, but should they slip up against Hythe Town, both Erith & Belvedere and Whitstable Town (at Tunbridge Wells) could take third and with it, possible promotion.”

Both Becks and the Stones are nine league games unbeaten. Ironically they both suffered their last defeats on the same day – Saturday, 25^th February.

Maidstone lost 2-1 at home to Whitstable Town and Beckenham suffered defeat at Thamesmead Town by the same scoreline.

The Stones though are desperate for Erith & Belvedere to do them a favour, but the Deres impressive 13-match unbeaten run came to an end when they lost 2-1 to Herne Bay at Park View Road last weekend.

But Deres’ player-manager Wayne Brown admitted to www.erithandbelvederefc.co.uk that his side will be doing all they can to bounce back and hand the title to the Stones, who are assured of promotion.

He said: ”On returning to Park View Road my aim was to give the club and it’s supporters a hard-working, fully committed team that plays with flair and style, whilst getting the necessary results.

”This I think I’ve achieved. I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate the players on their hard work, commitment and desire.

“The players have demonstrated that they’ve been fully committed to the aims and objectives of the management and coaching staff, and for this they should be congratulated by all.”

Brown, however, is relishing their encounter with Beckenham Town.

He said: “Becks come to Park View Road having regained some of their early season form, and needing a win to secure the championship.

”I’ve no doubt that Beckenham’s management and players, if they had the choice, would not have chosen to come to Park View Road needing a win to clinch the title against an in-form Deres.

”We ourselves, following the results of last weekend, need three points to be in with a chance of claiming third place, depending on the result at Thamesmead.

“Our players, as they’ve done in every game since I arrived here, will give 100% to achieve this goal and end the season on a high.”

Brown is disappointed they have to rely on the result at Bayliss Avenue, hoping Hythe Town can pull off a victory, to guarantee them third place.

He said: “Football, they say, can be a cruel sport, and that was certainly the case last Saturday against Herne Bay, where we totally dominated the second half and created enough chances to have won the game comfortably, only to go down 2-1.

”It’s been reported that the restructuring of Step 4 of the Pyramid is now likely to go ahead, which makes it all the more important for us to clinch third spot and go up a level.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everybody associated with the club for their support over the past three months and to remind everybody that after the game there’s the Player of the Year presentation evening in the clubhouse.

"It will be good to see as many supporters as possible there to acclaim the Player of the Year and recognise everybody’s efforts. On behalf of the management and the team, have a happy summer - World Cup or not - and we’ll all look forward to continuing the club’s progress next season regardless of what league we’re in.

“Enjoy Saturday’s game and as always please give the players 100% support - it is greatly appreciated.”

Maidstone United coach Alan Walker wants his side to concentrate on the task put to them – in front of a crowd of at least 500 at Greatness Park.

He told www.maidstoneunited.co.uk: "With the likelihood of a big crowd, Sevenoaks will certainly be up for this game and once again we will need to be professional and match that desire on the pitch to be assured of the three points.

”We have a job to do Saturday and that is to get the three points to put us in a position to take advantage of any slip ups by Beckenham.

“We know that the nerves are beginning to show and I still believe that they will struggle at Erith & Belvedere so we can't afford to slip up this weekend.

”In the past few games the lads have been professional in their performances, which showed with Monday's comfortable 3-0 win over VCD where we maintained our composure whilst VCD could not and that bodes well for the cup final in just over a weeks time. But sadly it is now out of our hands."

The Stones have one minor injury worry ahead of Saturday's game with former Tonbridge Angels striker Leroy Huggins looking to shake off a slight hamstring strain to be in contention for a starting place on Saturday.

But apart from that, it's a full strength side for what is set to be a day of celebration whatever the outcome of the title chase.

With estimates of a crowd of over 500, there will certainly a party atmosphere where their hosts Sevenoaks have made all the preparations necessary to ensure the day goes smoothly and hopefully the ongoing celebrations too, should the title return to Maidstone.

Saturday 22^nd April 2006
Kentish Observer League
Both games kick off at 3:00pm

Erith & Belvedere v Beckenham Town
at Park View Road, Welling

Sevenoaks Town v Maidstone United
at Greatness Park, Mill Lane, Seal Road, Sevenoaks

LISTEN TO BBC RADIO KENT 96.FM AS THEY’VE GOT REPORTERS AT BOTH GAMES.