Gorman gives reserves the chance to impress him - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Instead of spending the day away from football tomorrow, Erith & Belvedere’s management team will be making the trip down to Sevenoaks Town to watch their reserves in action, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Deres’ first team remain in eighth place in the Kent League table when missed chances and costly errors meant they had to settle for a point during their 2-2 draw at Thamesmead Town last night.

Without a game tomorrow, joint-manager Paul Gorman is travelling to Greatness Park to see which players can make the grade at first team level as the Park View Road outfit aim to finish in the top six.

The Deres have eleven league games remaining, which includes playing VCD Athletic, Whitstable Town, Hythe Town, Beckenham Town and Croydon - all sides above them in the table.

“We’ve got to play the top six still,” Gorman said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk after last nights derby draw.

“Obviously we’ve played one of them and we should have got three points tonight but at the end of the day one point’s better than none but we’re disappointed we haven’t got three points.”

Gorman wants to add to his squad during the close season.

“We’ve got a good nucleus considering we’ve only been here since November,” he said.

“It’s a young side, they’re still learning and we’ve got some old heads in here which we’ve brought in an they’re doing their jobs for us.

“I’ve brought in a new boy in Nick Smith (from Lordswood) and he’s a bit raw but he needs to be taught and obviously I’ve played and I know how centre forwards should work.

“We’re looking to strengthen again with better players than we’ve actually got.

“I’ve got people in line.  I’ve already spoken to a few ready for next season and it’s looking promising but results is what you need to win the league.”

Playing at Park View Road is a good incentive for new players but money also helps.

“Some people think it’s money. Money has something to do with it but I mean my boys are probably on pittance to what VCD or some of the Thamesmead boys are on,” Doncaster born Gorman said.

“We showed character tonight and on Saturday when we played Herne Bay the second half (we showed) how good we really are and how good everyone thought we’d win the league with beginning of the season - now they’re trying to show it.”

Gorman was disappointed to lose his reserve team skipper Ricky Hardie, who was enticed to Thamesmead Town earlier in the week.

Mead offered the player first team football - something Gorman was planning to offer him in August.

“This weekend we’re going to concentrate on watching our reserves,” said Gorman.

“Hopefully the reserve games on at Sevenoaks because they’re partly the future of the club.

“We’re going to look at them to see what we can do, see what we need to work on, where we need to go.

“We will speak to (reserve team manager) Sean (Clarke) after the game and see if we need any more players.

“But it’s a pity Ricky Hardie has left the club. I was looking for him to be apart of the squad next season but he’s gone to Thamesmead.

“They’ve enticed him saying he’s going to play in the first team but obviously his transfer’s not gone through (to play against us) but it’s up to him at the end of the day.

“He makes the decision but life goes on - we’ll get another centre half and good luck to him.”

Visit Erith & Belvedere’s website www.erithandbelvederefc.co.uk