Ford: We look after our top strike pair - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Kent League side VCD Athletic are reaping the rewards of playing at their revamped Oakwood ground in Crayford, writes Stephen McCartney.

Martin Ford’s men reached the last 64 of the FA Carlsberg Vase yesterday following their 3-0 win over rivals Tunbridge Wells.

But they were made to work for their win against a side that are bottom of the table, and although the final scoreline was flattering, Ford was pleased that striker Leroy Huggins scored twice.

The much-travelled striker, whose played at a higher level, including Bromley and Tonbridge Angels, has now scored five goals in six games following his release from Ryman League Division One South outfit Maidstone United last month.

And another former Maidstone United striker, Richard Sinden, is also playing for the green machine and has netted two goals in the six games he has played for the club, since leaving Ashford Town.

Ford, whose side reached the last 16 of the competition last term, explained EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk why the strike pair have signed for him.

“We’re a good club,” he said. “We have good facilities now. The chairman’s backing us all the way.

“Players like Leroy and Richard just want to be loved and looked after and we do that.

“They’d be better off playing somewhere else financially I tell you that for a fact.

“They’re not on bundles of money here, they do get paid like everyone does now and we’re thankful for that.

“I’ve never had a budget before, I’ve got one now and we’re looking after them.”

VCD Athletic travel to former landlords Lordswood for their fifth Kent League Cup Group A game on Tuesday night.

Ford will, however, be without Kevin Winchcombe who picked up a hamstring strain early in Saturday’s, and Mark Greatorex is nursing a groin strain.

Ford revealed that the players that were on the substitutes bench yesterday - Juan Ramirez, Stuart Abbott, Paul Foley, Steve Taylor and Danny Penny - are expected to start on Tuesday night.

“We play Lordswood again on the Thursday evening before we play Whitstable so ideally I don’t want us to be anywhere near full strength before we take on Whitstable on the Saturday,” he said.

“I really want to qualify as quickly as we can and if we can qualify this week then we can have some fun in the last two qualifying games.”

Visit Club websites:

www.lordswoodfc.com

www.vcd-athletic.co.uk

Lordswood v VCD Athletic
Kent League Cup Group A
Tuesday 21^st November 2006
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Martyn Grove, North Dane Way, Walderslade, Kent ME5 8YE