My aspirations for the season ahead is to win football matches and see where it takes us, says Holmesdale boss Ian Varley

HOLMESDALE manager Ian Varley says he is relatively happy with his side’s start to the new season.

The Bromley based outfit suffered relegation from the Southern Counties East Football League at the end of the season and are looking to bounce back in Varley’s first season in charge.

They are in the top five in the Division One table, having collected five wins, two draws and two defeats this season but they went down to a 3-1 home defeat to Kent Football United in midweek.

“We’ve had a good run lately as Tuesday was our first defeat in 10 games, so we’ll be looking to start another run tomorrow.  We just want to keep winning games, no matter what the competition is,” said Varley.

“It’s been a solid start. We’ve accumulated a decent amount of points for this stage of the season so I’m relatively happy.”

Varley was Simon Copley’s number two at Glebe last season, where they finished third in the table and won two trophies.

Eight players’ are expected to be in tomorrow’s squad to face Banstead Athletic in The FA Vase Second Qualifying Round were at Glebe last season.

“It’s important because being my first job it’s good to have players that I know and also it meant we already had the basis of a very good squad when we first started at Holmesdale,” explained Varley.

“We’ve added a few new faces and it’s worked so far.

“Banstead seem to be doing well in their league but I don’t tend to worry about what other teams can or can’t do.  If we play well I would expect us to get the win so we will see.

“The next game is the most important no matter what the competition is. We don’t have a playing budget so I’m under no pressure to win the games for the finances alone.  The club is run very well behind the scenes and I’m just left to try and win football matches.

“Of course, it’s different than being a number two as ultimately everything comes down to the manager.  Win, lose or draw the accountability comes down to me which to be honest is the best part of being a manager.

“I’ve got a great group of players, staff and committee members so I’m loving every minute of it.

“My aspirations for the season ahead is to win football matches and see where it takes us.”

Varley revealed that he is without four players for tomorrow’s tie, with Jack Hooper (holiday), Jamie Rawsthorne (holiday), Lee Warren (holiday) and Anthony Fenech injured.

Banstead Athletic arrive at Oakley Road sitting in third-place in the Combined Counties League First Division – the same level as Holmesdale – and have scored 28 league goals in 8 league games, collecting 16 points.

James Cameron's side are two points behind league leaders AC London.

Visit Holmesdale’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/holmesdalefc

Holmesdale  v  Banstead Athletic
The Buildbase FA Vase Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 24^th September 2016
Kick Off 3:00pm
At 68 Oakley Road, Bromley, Kent BR2 8HQ