I'll settle for top four finish, says Gorman - EXCLUSIVE

ERITH & BELVEDERE face a defensive crisis ahead of Wednesday night’s London Senior Cup clash against Wealdstone, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Stones, sixth from bottom in the Ryman Premier League, provide the opposition for the fourth round clash - with a home tie against Blue Square South outfit awaiting the winners in the last eight.

The Northwood based outfit knocked out Welling United on penalties in the last round to deny a Park View Road showdown at this stage in the competition.

Gordon Bartlett’s side were defeated by three goals to one at Heybridge Swifts yesterday but will be looking to exploit the Deres defensive problems.

Defenders Michael Gonzague (business commitments in Dubai), John Farley (twisted knee) and Paul Gross (leg) are out.

Meanwhile, midfielder Chris Hill, a recent signing from Croydon, defender James Holder (Erith Town) and Sam Friskey (Erith Town) are cup-tied.

“We have to play with what we’ve got as some of the players are cup-tied,” revealed joint-manager Paul Gorman, when speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

The Deres go into the game on the back of a 5-0 victory at Slade Green, a side that’s currently in the bottom four in the Kent League table.

“Very good win, confidence is back in the side, a good debut from Chris Hill - it was a very good game,” reflected Doncaster born Gorman.

“We started off with a high tempo, kept it going through the first half and carried on where we left off from the Tunbridge Wells game.

“We knew we had to be at our best to give them a good game. We knew they turned over Herne Bay and Hythe in their last couple of games and obviously we didn’t take them for granted being near the bottom of the league.”

Gorman explained that Sporting Bengal United caused shock results by beating both Croydon and Greenwich Borough in the past seven days.

He said: “You can’t say we’ll get three points from teams in the lower part of the division as you could have an off day and lose.

“You have to be on your toes as Hythe, Herne Bay, Greenwich Borough and Croydon found out.”

Gorman revealed that he’s snapped up winger Mark Hammond following a recent spell with Ryman League Division One South outfit Sittingbourne.

He explained why he’s brought the former Cray Wanderers and Bromley star to Park View Road.

“I’ve been looking for a natural winger to give us a bit of speed and crosses and a bit of width,” he said.

But Gorman is happy that the Deres followed up their 8-1 home win over Tunbridge Wells with victory at The Small Glen yesterday.

“Thirteen goals in two games - it could have been more in the Tunbridge Wells game if it wasn’t for their stand-in keeper and Slade Green yesterday, we had a few chances to make it six or seven nil, but five was enough,” he said.

During the early part of this season, Chris Cosgrove’s outbursts insisting that Erith & Belvedere would clinch the Kent League title this season back-fired as the club have slipped down to fifth in the table.

But Gorman has played down his side’s chances of emulating Cosgrove’s ambitions, settling for a top four finish.

“We’re still not a finished article yet but we’re going in the right direction but we’re looking to give the top four a run for their money,” he said.

“We’re going to push for the top four. We’re hoping results go for us but we had a bit of a blip halfway through.

“We won’t be champions but if we do, it will be a bonus. VCD (with an eight point lead at the top) will do well, Thamesmead will be there, Hythe are in with a shout.

“It’s an open league, VCD have won eight on the trot but hopefully they’ll slip up and everyone can catch up on them.

“Look at Whitstable last year, never lost a game for a long time and all off a sudden they lost to Greenwich Borough.”

Gorman would like to add more players like Hammond to his squad, but money is tight at Park View Road.

“I need one more striker, another defender and possibly another central midfielder before I feel we’re actually ready to go for the league,” he said.

“We’ve got the best set-up but not the best budget. Everybody thinks were on the best money but trust me we’re not.

“Because it’s the best ground, best pitch, we’re not on the best budget.”

Meanwhile, Beckenham Town, a side that's second in the Kent League table are also in London Senior Cup fourth round action this week, travelling to Leyton - rock bottom of the Ryman Premier League -on Tuesday night.

Subject to the game going ahead, and internet connections, www.kentishfootball.co.uk shall be providing LIVE SCORE UPDATES of this match.

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

LONDON SENIOR CUP 2007/08

First Round Draw

1 Mauritius Sports & Pennant 1 Beckenham Town 2
2 Civil Service 0 Colliers Wood United 1
3 Lewisham Borough 0 Thamesmead Town 3
4 Romford 3 Haringey Borough 0
5 VCD Athletic 6 Kentish Town 1
6 Clapton 3 London Tigers 0

Second Round Draw

7 Barkingside 2 Cockfosters 2
(Barkingside won 5-4 on penalties)
8 Beckenham Town v Thamesmead Town
(Walkover for Beckenham Town - Thamesmead withdrawn)
9 Colliers Wood United 2 Clapton 1
10 Romford 2 Hoddesdon Town 1
11 Brimsdown Rovers 2 v Barking 2
(Barking won 4-2 on penalties)
12 Croydon 1 VCD Athletic 2
13 Erith Town 6 Redbridge 1
14 Hanwell Town 1 Waltham Forest 2


Third Round Draw

15 Corinthian Casuals 1 Colliers Wood Utd 0
16 Croydon Athletic 1 Erith Town 0
17 Barking 1 VCD Athletic 0
18 Barkingside 0 Metropolitan Police 2
19 Welling United 2 Wealdstone 2
(Wealdstone won 6-5 on penalties)
20 Waltham Forest 1 Beckenham Town 3
21 Erith & Belvedere 2 Kingstonian 1
22 Romford v Wingate & Finchley

Fourth Round Draw

23 Tooting & Mitcham Utd v Croydon Athletic
24 Erith & Belvedere v Wealdstone
25 Metropolitan Police 0 Bromley 1
26 Cray Wanderers v Winner Match 22
27 Fisher Athletic 4 Barking 0
28 Leyton v Beckenham Town
29 Dulwich Hamlet 1 AFC Wimbledon 3
30 Corinthian Casuals v Hendon


Quarter Final Draw

31 Winner Match 28 v Winner Match 30
32 Bromley v AFC Wimbledon
33 Winner Match 24 v Fisher Athletic
34 Winner Match 23 v Winner Match 26

Semi Final Draw

35 Winner Match 33 v Winner Match 34
36 Winner Match 32 v Winner Match 31

Final

To be played on a date to be confirmed.


Erith & Belvedere v Wealdstone
London Senior Cup Fourth Round
Wednesday 16^th January 2008
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY