Kent Football United boss Ennio Gonnella: I have taken a club that’s normally a bottom four club to now talking about promotion next season

KENT FOOTBALL UNITED manager Ennio Gonnella says he is going for promotion next season.

The Dartford based club go into their last game of the season sitting in the top four in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division, having picked up 71 points from their 35 league outings.

FC Elmstead are going into their final game of the season in thirteenth-place in the table with 40 points on the board.

Elmstead boss Fabio Rossi said: “As always we are all looking forward to tomorrow’s game against Kent Football United.

“We defeated them in the Kent Senior Trophy 3-2 at home back in November but they levelled it with a 2-1 win at Glentworth.

“I’m sure tomorrow will be an entertaining game. It will be nice to see former Elmstead player Daryl Dylan and the rest of their talented squad that Ennio has assembled.

“We have been in good form lately with just two defeats in our last 10 games.

“On Bank Holiday Monday we gained a decent 2-2 draw against a very young but very lively, much-improved Gravesham Borough.

“Overall, we are pretty content in what we have achieved in our second year at this level. It has been a massive jump from the Kent County League Division Two of the Southern Counties East Football League but we acquitted ourselves well and have improved on last year.

“We had a couple of little cup runs which was better than last year. We hope to take three points from one of our last two games to get us into the top half.

“Our only goal that we have not bettered was to achieve a higher placing in the league than last year. It looks like we will end up exactly in the same place, mid-table.

“A six game losing run really upset us after Sporting Club Thamesmead knocked us out in The FA Vase. It really took us some time to get over that one.

“Next season we are looking to add three or four players to the squad. You never know what will happen over the close season but I’m confident that most of the squad will remain at the club for next season.

“So it’s really a case of getting these two final games out of the way and get some rest and go again next season. Jack White, our coach, is already preparing for pre-season.

“We are looking for one or two friendlies with Step Five clubs. If any of them are happy for us to host them at our park pitch at Coney Hall Recreation Ground.

“Hopefully we will get something out of our last two games and finish the season with a decent run of form.”

Gonnella takes his side to Bromley with the knowledge that the club have finished in their highest ever league position.

“The last game of the season I just want to see my boys finish strong as they have all year and enjoy the game,” said the Kent Football United boss.

“No doubt it’s going to be tough as the last time we played them they did try and play so for a neutral it should be a good game of football.”

Gonnella’s side suffered a 4-0 defeat at champions Glebe in their last game and he is keen to bounce back on the final day of the season.

He said: “The defeat against the league champions on Bank Holiday Monday was a mix of some good possession football from both sides but congratulations to Woody (Adam Woodward) and the boys at Glebe fully deserve to lift the cup.

“I was very proud of my boys, who gave Glebe a guard of honour to show professionalism and respect.

“I’m very happy with this year’s campaign. We have competed all year and been in a top four position, which is all I asked from the players.”

With Glebe and Rusthall promoted, Gonnella wants to follow them in the Premier Division this time next year.

He said: “I have a great relationship with the chairman and we build and go again next season, where our target is not only to compete but achieve promotion.

“I have taken a club that’s normally a bottom four club to now talking about promotion next season and that’s credit really all round at the club.”

FC Elmstead  v  Kent Football United
Southern Counties East Football League First Division
Saturday 22^nd April 2017
Kick Off 3:00pm
at 68 Oakley Road, Bromley, Kent BR2 8HQ