Kent League Soccer Shorts: Lordswood sign former Welling midfielder - EXCLUSIVE

www.kentishfootball.co.uk brings you some team news involving Kent League clubs ahead of their games tomorrow.

Last updated: 20:20 Friday 9th November 2007

Hythe Town are without four players for their trip to Bromley to face Holmesdale in the Kent League Cup tomorrow, writes Stephen McCartney.

Paul Hyde (hamstring), Gavin Ransley (broken cheekbone), Joe Neilson (another broken leg) and Simon Rainbow (hamstring) all miss the Group D clash at Oakley Road.

Midfielder Ian Hayes and former Ashford Town full-back Tom Adlington, meanwhile, face fitness tests.

“None of those played at Herne Bay on Wednesday so I'm happy to go with that squad, plus hopefully Ian Hayes and Tom Adlington,” Hythe Town boss Paul Fisk told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

Lordswood have signed former Welling United midfielder Darren Marsden in time for their trip to second place side, Beckenham Town.

Manager Shawn Mitchell will partner Scott Bucklen and Mark Vernon up front during the Eden Park Avenue clash.

With Jamie Taylor back in the side, Mitchell, whose side are in the bottom four, is expecting a tough time.

“Every game is tough as we have a young inexperienced side,” he said.

“On our day we can beat anybody (but) we need to take our chances so we have something to hold onto.”

Tenth placed Herne Bay travel to basement boys Sporting Bengal United, and chairman John Bathurst is hoping that Jason Lillis’ side avoid an embarrassing result.

The east Londoners have only picked up two draws from their opening nine Kent League games, and Mr Bathurst hopes history doesn’t repeat itself tomorrow.

“I have reservations over this game as Herne Bay always seem to struggle against Bengal," he explained. 

"We are going through a goal famine at the moment, failing to secure a victory in the last six fixtures, scoring only three times, we’re just not getting the run of the ball in front of goal - despite playing some of the best football for years.

“But I’m hoping this match will give the players a real boost in confidence to get the season back on track.”

Unbeaten Erith Town welcome Greenwich Borough to Erith Sports Stadium looking for a win to leapfrog over their rivals.

The Dockers are unbeaten having picking up four wins and four draws from their opening eight Kent League games, and are fifth in the table - one place below Borough.

Kevin George (ankle) and Alan Hanlon (suspended) miss the vital clash, but player-manager Mark Tompkins, who scored a hat-trick during his side’s 6-1 win over Redbridge in the London Senior Cup in midweek, is confident that his dark-horses can remain unbeaten this weekend.

He said: “We’re going into the game full of confidence. Our aims is to just finish as high as possible and do well in a cup.”

New signings Danny White and Anthony Pace both make their Tunbridge Wells debuts at Deal Town tomorrow.

New manager Mike Robbins also drafts reserve team players James Russell and Richard Vidler into his squad.

Robbins revealed his current injury list, which includes Clayton Cooper (knee), Danny Jones (food poisoning),whilst Brad Sandeman and Joe Fuller are both out long-term.

Robbins admitted he’s run of fixtures are a lot easier than his predecessor Martin Farnie endured.

“If we can get something from Deal, then we’ll be in a very good position,” Robbins told www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk.

“In the lead up to Christmas we have several games against teams around or below us in the table, and these will be key opportunities to get a good number of points on the board.

“These next few weeks are going to be massive if we are to give ourselves a solid base to explode onto the scene in the New Year.

“It all starts with Deal - we need to tackle this first part of the challenge and get the ball rolling.

“Look at Croydon. They had a poor start to the campaign, but after enjoying a run of results against sides that were around and below them, ironically starting against Deal, they’ve moved up to seventh in the league.”

Robbins quipped that he has yet tasted a defeat in the Kent League, having maintained a 100% record for Tunbridge Wells’ reserves before his appointment as first team boss.

The Ashford resident added: “I have an unbeaten record in the league (but) in all seriousness though, as I said before, the season starts here as far as I’m concerned.