We have some very exciting and important games ahead, says Forest Hill Park manager Lee Roots

FOREST HILL PARK manager Lee Roots says he is delighted to have some cup interest going into the New Year.

 

The Ladywell Arena based outfit came away from Phoenix Sports Reserves with a 1-0 win on Tuesday night to reach the last four of the London Hospital Cup, courtesy of a winner from Kamieko Pope-Campbell, who scored his seventh goal of the season.

“I was very pleased with not only the win but importantly the team performance,” said Roots.

“Phoenix had five or six first team players playing on the evening, which did add for a very entertaining high-quality game from both teams.

“The lads showed a great level of patience and character throughout the 90 minutes to keep moving the ball and to keep pressing for the goal, even when after our dominance and control of the game saw us strike the woodwork four to five times!

“We deservedly won the game with a quality strike from Kamieko Pope-Campbell in the second half.

“Full credit to Phoenix, Del Oldfield has them well organised there and they made us work hard for the win but I’m delighted to have booked our place into the Semi-Finals.”

Roots takes his side to Hextable on Saturday to tackle Sutton Athletic.

Forest Hill Park sit in ninth-place in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table with 23 points from 14 games, while Sutton Athletic are in the top six with 29 points.

“This will be our last competitive game of 2018, as next weekend we play a behind closed doors friendly,” said Roots.

“The lads have been working really hard and playing well, so we will look to keep that up over the Christmas period and continue that into the New Year.

“We hold up three or four games in hand over some of the teams above us in the league, so we are fully aware of the challenges we face moving into the second half of the season and what we need to do for us to begin to really climb up the league table.

“We have a fantastic, very special squad of players and characters. The lads will keep their heads down, continue to work hard and will go quietly about our business.

“I’m very happy that we are still in two of the three cups that we entered going into the New Year.  We have some very exciting and important games ahead.”

Roots had this message for the Forest Hill Park faithful.

“Our supporters have been brilliant this season. For a club that has never had a big following, we now have a great small core of fans that come to watch and support the lads in both home and away games and I know that the players really appreciate the support.”

Sutton Athletic  v  Forest Hill Park
Southern Counties East Football League First Division
Saturday 22 December 2018
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Lower Road, Hextable, Kent BR8 7RZ