We currently sit in a position where we can still compete for a top-four finish and that’s what we plan to do, vows FC Elmstead boss Ennio Gonnella

FC ELMSTEAD manager Ennio Gonnella says he hasn’t ruled out grabbing a top-four promotion place at the end of the season.

 

The club sit in fifth-place in the Sea Pioneer Southern Counties East Football League First Division table with 30 points from their 18 league outings.

Holmesdale are in fourth-place in the table with 32 points on the board but they will have four games in hand over Gonnella’s men as they are without a league fixture tomorrow.

Reflecting on their 1-1 draw against landlords Sutton Athletic on 28 December, Gonnella said: “The game was a pleasure to firstly be involved in. Two sides got the ball down and some talented players were on show for both teams. Credit to Sutton, they are a very good side!

“The game was a game of two halves. I believe they were the better side on the ball in a large majority of the first half.

“We went into the second half pressing more and not allowing them to play and with the ball we were a lot better creating the better chances of the game.

“In front of goal was our let down, to not be taking all three points, however, I cannot get down on a draw as my players’ played really well and created enough.

“On another day the result would’ve gone our way but it was a good team performance against a talented Sutton side.”

Bottom-four side Snodland Town are the visitors to Lower Road tomorrow.

“The reverse fixture saw us walk away with all three points, however, I know since then they lost the manager and most players’ departed, so in truth I don’t know much about them,” admitted Gonnella, who brought in Jamie Leggett to join his coaching staff on 30 December.

“All I know going into the business part of the season we need to approach the game as professional as possible and put on a good display.

“Our league position for us is still above where the club expectations are this year.  We are pleased with the first half of the season spending a considerable amount of time top of the league, which was nice reading, while it lasted!

“We currently sit in a position where we can still compete for a top-four finish and that’s what we plan to do.”

Leading goalscorer with 11 goals, Marcus Cassius remains on the sidelines through a long-term injury, while Snodland’s leading goalscorer is eight-goal Ellis Hutton.

FC Elmstead  v  Snodland Town
Sea Pioneer Southern Counties East Football League First Division
Saturday 4 January 2020
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Lower Road, Hextable, Kent BR8 7RZ