Hopefully we can mark Dan Scorer's 300th game as Kennington manager with a FA Cup victory, says goalkeeper Joe Mant

KENNINGTON goalkeeper Joe Mant says he wants to mark Dan Scorer’s 300^th game in charge of the Ashford based club with a FA Cup victory on Saturday.

The Ton opened their Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division campaign with a 5-1 defeat at Corinthian last weekend.

Michael Golding’s side finished at the foot of the Isthmian League South East Division table last season, suffering relegation alongside Faversham Town and play-off losers VCD Athletic.

“I think that the scoreline didn’t reflect the game too much as it was a lot more even than what it suggests,” insists Mant.

“Corinthian are a very good side and showed their experience of playing a league higher last year by punishing mistakes made by us.

“Whilst it was a little deflating, it’s only the first game and it’s given us a few bits to work on.”

Kennington travel to Chislehurst on Saturday to take on their league rivals Glebe in The FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round.

The Foxes claimed the League’s Respect Charity Shield by beating First Division side Larkfield & New Hythe 1-0 last weekend and welcome Scorer’s men sitting in 12^th place in the table, while Kennington are currently at the base of 21 sides in the division after their defeat at Gay Dawn Farm.

“Tough fixture,” insisted Mant, 28, who like all of his team-mates live in Ashford, Kent.

“Glebe are a very good side and have been for a number of years at this level. We are going to make sure we are right at it to get the result we want from the fixture.”

While Premier League powerhouse Manchester City celebrated lifting the famous silver trophy by beating their local rivals Manchester United 2-1 at Wembley Stadium on 3 June, the very first round of the 2023-24 campaign gets underway this weekend.

It gives a chance for part-time footballers a chance to grab the headlines along the Road to Wembley.

The winners will travel to play Welling Town or Cobham (who play each other at Phoenix Sports' ground on Sunday 6 August at 14:00), in the Preliminary Round in two weeks' time.

“The FA Cup is massive for us at Kennington,” said vice-captain Mant, who works in insurance.

“Just being involved is a massive credit to Dan Scorer and the management team, as well as Jon Lancaster (chairman) and the committee for all the hard work they have put into getting the club where it is today.  Without them, we wouldn’t be here.

“It’s Dan Scorer’s 300^th game as manager this weekend and hopefully we can mark that milestone with a victory.”

The Ton have lost the likes of Rajan Sahni, Tommy Penfold and Muhammed Cham, who have departed to sign for Isthmian League sides Phoenix Sports, Cray Wanderers and Margate respectively but Mant insists Kennington will cause their rivals problems during the course of the season.

Mant said: “We take it game by game this year.  We have lost three players to teams higher up the pyramid, so this year will again be another rebuilding process for us and with the budgets and calibre of players at this level, we know that every game is going to be tough.

“We know in house that if we get things right, we can cause teams a lot of problems and it’s just about getting the consistency and limiting the amount of days we have, like the opening day.”

Visit Kennington’s website:  www.kenningtonfc.co.uk

Glebe  v  Kennington
The Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Saturday 5 August 2023
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Foxbury Avenue, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 6SD