England's number one continues to impress here in Kent

At least we can feel proud of one England goalkeeper tonight - Lance Cronin of Blue Square Premier side Ebbsfleet United, writes Stephen McCartney.

24-hours before Scott Carson, 22, blew England’s chances of qualifying for the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland next summer, Cronin was the only England goalkeeper to receive praise.

Cronin, 22, a former Crystal Palace youth goalkeeper, was reckoned to have a bright future in the game, when he signed for the Selhurst Park club from Brighton & Hove Albion’s Centre of Excellence in 2001.

But the six-foot-one stopper was released without featuring in the Palace first team in the summer of 2005, having had a brief loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers.

Cronin moved to Shrewsbury Town in February 2006 after a spell at Oldham Athletic, and later had trials at Grimsby Town after his release from Shrewsbury in April 2007.

A couple of games for Blue Square Premier club Ebbsfleet United, then known as Gravesend & Northfleet, secured him a place at Stonebridge Road in August 2006.

Despite a long-term injury to regular Fleet goalkeeper Craig Holloway, Cronin had a highly impressive first-season, culminating in a number of appearances for the England National Game team.

And Ebbsfleet United assistant-manager Alan Kimble believes Cronin has a very bright future in the game.

On Tuesday night, after striker George Purcell gave the Fleet the lead after just 78 seconds of their Kent Senior Cup first round tie against a Ramsgate side that’s fifth in the Ryman Premier League table, Cronin saved Steffan Ball’s right-footed penalty, which denied the Thanet side a deserved 25^th minute equaliser.

Purcell went on to seal his second, and another striker, John Akinde, recalled from Ryman League Division One South outfit Whitstable Town, also got on the score-sheet in the 3-1 win.

And whilst the ball was zipping off the excellent playing surface at Stonebridge Road on a very wet night, Cronin showed his true potential, whilst Carson will wish he never replaced Paul Robinson in goal at Wembley Stadium tonight, as England’s qualification hopes died, losing 3-2 to Croatia.

“You can see at the moment he’s got loads of confidence, especially with the England set-up and tonight,” Kimble said of Cronin after Tuesday night’s win, when speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

He added: “We know how good Lance is. He can be even better.

“He’s progressing every game, he’s getting more confident and there’s no reason Lance, can be a, the, or a top goalkeeper.

“Hopefully we can keep hold of him next season, hopefully be in the Football League and keep his dreams alive.”

Cronin, also speaking to www.kentishfootball.couk  after Ebbsfleet United’s Kent Senior Cup win over a spirited Ramsgate side, said: “It went well. Happy with my performance and all the boys’ played well. We’re looking forward to the next round really.”

And he was pleased with his penalty save, adding: “Well, Ron (Hillyard), the goalie coach has been sort of saying I haven’t saved a penalty for a while - so he gave me a confidence boost.”

Despite playing a mixture of first-team, fringe players, and youth, Cronin believes the Fleet youngsters’ have good futures in the game.

“I mean, the boys’ did a good performance tonight, all the young boys’ did exceptionally well,” he said.

“They’re a good bunch of lads. There’s a lot of talent there. If they get the confidence and start playing week in week out - every single one of them have got a good future ahead of them.”

Unlike England next summer, the entire world will have their eyes cast on Ebbsfleet United on Saturday - for their Blue Square Premier clash against Stafford Rangers at Stonebridge Road.

It will be the club’s first home League game, following the worldwide publicity generated by the MyFootballClub website taking over the Kent club.

“We’re looking to get a result,” said Cronin. “Stafford are looking for three points as well so it’s going to be a hard game.

“But the way the boys’ were playing the way we played against Oxford, I don’t see why we can’t get three points.

“Every game’s a hard game in this League, but there not on that good form but they’ll will be fighting for a win so it’s going to be a tough game but hopefully we should win it.”

And on the takeover, Cronin reveals that it’s given the players a lift.

He said: “On the training ground, the club’s been buzzing at the moment.

“A few people are saying it is good - or bad - no-one really knows until we actually sit back and wait really.”

Visit Ebbsfleet United’s website: www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk

Admission Prices:
Adult (£13), Concessions (£7)
Students (£7 - on production of valid student card)
Transfer to seated stand £2 extra

Ebbsfleet United v Stafford Rangers
Blue Square Premier
Saturday 24^th November 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Stonebridge Road, Northfleet, Kent DA11 9GN