Kent Senior Cup Quarter-Final EXCLUSIVE PREVIEWS

We bring you EXCLUSIVE interviews with the four managers whose sides are involved with John Ullman Kent Senior Cup ties on Tuesday night.

Jim Ward admits yesterday was a “big day” as his Ramsgate side went to the summit of the Ryman League Division One table for the very first time in their history after winning a “forgettable” game at Whyteleafe, writes Stephen McCartney.

Former Dover Athletic striker Shaun Welford netted his 20th goal of the season ten minutes into the second half to settle this dour game after being put through by Edd Vahid and beating the goalkeeper from an acute angle.

However, the manager was pleased with the result rather than their performance at Church Road.

”The best bit of the whole day was when we walked off and someone said we were top.  The rest of it was forgettable,” said the Scot.

”I know all the things of going to places and grinding out wins and not playing well and getting three points.  I know all those statements but yesterday, except for the result, was not a good day at the office.”

Ward, however, admitted the reporter in the Non League Paper described the game well.

”The guy in the Non League Paper got it exactly right,” he said.  “He made Shaun Welford man-of-the-match probably for the goal he scored, and gave it a rating of one star and he was just about probably right.

”Horrible game, horrible conditions,” he added.  “The conditions didn’t allow anyone to play any football at all. 

”The only good thing about the day was getting the three points.  The players didn’t need to be told that it wasn’t a good performance.”

Ward’s reading at the breakfast table this morning was enjoyable as his side are level on points with Kent rivals Tonbridge Angels, both taking advantage of Horsham’s 4-1 defeat at Metropolitan Police.

However, if Tony Dolby’s men collect at least a point against Metropolitan Police at the Betterview Longmead Stadium on Tuesday night, they will move back to the top.

”Forget about the game, it’s a proud moment for Ramsgate Football Club to be top of the league, no matter if it’s August, September, January or February,” said a very proud Ward.

”At least you can say we’ve given it a good go and now we’re in a position where everybody has to catch us now.

”We can say we’ll be top for three days.  Met Police can say something on Tuesday night.  To be fair the league’s really tight all the top teams are drawing each other.”

Whilst the Angels are looking to leapfrog over the Rams on Tuesday night, Ward’s side tackle Southern Leaguers Dartford in the quarter-finals of the Kent Senior Cup.

”Really looking forward to it,” admits the manager.  “It’s a cup that we’d like to progress in.  It will be a full-strength side.  I will be putting my best eleven out.”

Being league leaders after 28 games may surprise many outsiders but that was the aim for the Thanet club.

”I said from day one we set a bonus in place.  We’re not the highest payers in the league are we?  Top six at Christmas, top six end of year and a bit more if we get promoted.  We went out with that aim,” said Ward.

”Things have already been put in line for the ground that’s all I know.  The chairman’s told me again it won’t be the facilities at Southwood that won’t get us promoted – it’s down to the management and the players.”

Edd Vahid (ankle) is the only doubt against the Darts as Ward reveals he has everyone available for the county cup clash.

”It was superb picking up the Non League Paper and little old Ramsgate top of the Ryman League. “

Dartford manager Tony Burman takes his side to Southwood Stadium in buoyant mood as they maintained their unbeaten home record courtesy of their 2-1 win over Barton Rovers.

Brendan Cass opened his goalscoring account for his new side following his recent move from Southern League Division One East rivals Chatham Town after Steve Hafner opened the scoring just before half-time.

But a dubious penalty was awarded although central defender Anthony Henry chested the ball inside the penalty area, which allowed Paul Barnes to convert the resulting penalty kick, upsetting the Darts boss.

”The players performed very well again and I think we were unfortunate not to be more goals up at half time,” said Burman.

”Again we played some really good attractive football.  In the second half Brendan (Cass) got off the mark with his first goal and really we were playing well.”

Speaking about the controversial penalty incident, Burman said: “The referee has made a decision and he was the only one to see it in the ground.

”He felt Anthony Henry handled the ball and everyone in the ground thought he chested the ball.

”Even the Barton players didn’t think much about it but they scored the penalty.  That was the only thing that spoilt it and I felt we could have won by more.”

With Darts supporters dreaming about a promotion and cup winning double, Burman is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

His side are currently fifth in the table and took advantage of some of their rivals failing to win and have a seven point lead over sixth placed side Waltham Forest – who travel to Sittingbourne on Tuesday night.

Burman, however, will be without Brendan Cass (cup-tied) for their trip to Southwood Stadium, but he will field a strong eleven.

”We will have a strong eleven yes,” he revealed.  “I’ve got to make one forced change because Brendan is cup-tied.  I will be treating it similar to the game against Cray.  One or two lads that have been patient will get a game.”

But he warned: “We’ve got a hell of a tough game.  Ramsgate are having a fantastic season and to crown it off they’ve gone top of the table in their league and you have to applaud that.

”So before we talk about promotion or doubles we have got to get through that game and believe me it will be very difficult for us.”

Dartford will be able to recharge their batteries as they’re without a league game at the weekend, but Burman revealed the players that have been warming the substitutes bench will travel to Whitstable Town for a reserve team match.

Burman, was, however, pleased with the service Cass received from wingers Ryan Hayes and Dave Martin yesterday.  “Everybody can see he will add a bit of quality to the team,” he said.  “He had a lot of service coming in with the crosses from both sides and he was quite pleased with his home debut.”

Speaking about being in the top five, Burman kept cool and added: “I just think it’s a bonus for us.  We started the season hoping we could consistently keep in the top ten.

”We’ve had a good season so far and we would like to carry on up the table.  But we’re not counting our chickens or anything but carry on playing and win each game.”

 
Bromley manager George Wakeling, whose won this competition twice, gave 19-year-old goalkeeper Mark Davidson his debut during their 1-1 draw with East Thurrock United at Hayes Lane yesterday.

Davidson whose on work-experience from Premiership club Fulham, conceded within 40 seconds into his debut, but Wakeling was pleased with the goalkeeper whose been drafted in to fill the boots of ever-present Andy Walker (holiday).

Reflecting on their ninth league draw of the season, Wakeling, who was also without key influential players Danny Carroll, Tutu Henriques, Adam Locke and top-scorer Nic McDonnell, said: “Disappointed as we had lots of possession and I felt we should have beaten them.

”We worked very hard throughout, we played well and I’m pleased with the performance. Just disappointed we didn’t turn it into three points.”

Speaking about Davidson, the experienced manager added: “He’s come in and fitted in well.  A nice lad and he looks capable and we’re pleased with that.”

Wakeling is relishing their trip to Welling United for a place in the last four at stake.

”We want to win, we’ll do our best,” he said.  “I’ve won the Kent Senior Cup twice.  I always want to win them games and this will be no exception.  It’s a cup game and we want to win it and hopefully we can do that.”

Wakeling hopes McDonnell’s hamstring injury will clear up in a week’s time, and added: “Hamstrings are difficult to assess but we’ll have to take it a game at a time.”

Wakeling has been unlucky during the course of the season and are currently in 13^th place in the Ryman Premier League table.

”Basically, let’s put it this way.  If we didn’t have the injuries we had we would have been in the play-off positions.  These injuries have done a lot of damage to that,” he insisted.

”We had five players out Saturday and we still dominated the game.  There’s a lot to come from the side if we can get a full side out but that doesn’t seem that will happen for a little while.”
 
Welling United manager Adrian Pennock has, however,  more important things on his mind as his side travels to Nationwide Conference side Woking in the third round of the FA Trophy on Saturday.

With that in mind, Pennock will field a very young side against Bromley – but the former Gillingham star admits whatever side he puts out, he wants to them to progress into the semi-finals.


Yeading completed the double over the Wings with their second 1-0 win over his side yesterday, which upset him.

”Disappointed that we lost,” he admitted.  “They had one chance all game and scored, which to be fair, was a terrible goal to concede.

”I thought the first half display was poor and we were camped in their half and had many chances to equalise second half and we should have done.

”I thought Yeading definitely deserved to win the first game but I thought yesterday we should have came away with a win.

”To be fair, we should start scoring goals, we create so many chances and we need to address that and kill teams off.”

Pennock, however, admitted drawing seven of their last ten league games is causing him concern.

”We’re sixth in the table and we are doing exceptionally well and I’m proud of the boys but we have drawn a lot of games,” he admits.

Goalkeeper Darren Ibrahim, who was on trial at Bromley during pre-season, following his release from Gillingham before joining the Park View Road club, is expected to start his third game of the season on Tuesday night, and Pennock may line-up with Keith Rowlands, Daniel Moore and Lee Shearer in the side with the remainder being made up of the club’s under 19 players.

”Obviously, as I’ve said before I want to win, whatever I put out will go out to win the game.

”I will be including some youngsters that have done well in the Kent Senior Cup and London Senior Cup games.  It’s a good opportunity for players that haven’t been playing to get 90 minutes under their belt.”

Pennock, however, admits he has faith in the club’s youngsters to get his side through to the last four.

”Since we’ve involved them in the first team they’ve picked up,” he said.  “We’ve included the under 16’s in a few (youth team) games which give them experience.


”We benefit from it.  I’m a fan of youths.  If they’re good enough they will play and it shows them what they can do and they haven’t let themselves down yet.”

Pennock, warned his side – the last Kent side left in the FA Trophy - will have to be at the races for the entire 90 minutes or they’ll get punished by ninth placed Nationwide Conference side Woking.

”Big game.  I’ve got a lot of respect for Glen Cockerill but it’s going to be a difficult game,” warned Pennock. 

”We’re going there as underdogs, but if we show up like we did first half (at Yeading) the game will be over at half-time but if we play like (we did in the) second half it will be a good game.”

John Ullman Kent Senior Cup Quarter-Final Ties:

Tuesday 31^st January 2006
Ramsgate v Dartford
(at Southwood Stadium, Prices Avenue, Ramsgate)

Welling United v Bromley
(at Park View Road, Welling)

Monday 6^th February 2006
Gravesend & Northfleet v Dover Athletic
(at Stonebridge Road, Northfleet)

Tuesday 7 February 2006
Margate v Folkestone Invicta
(at Hartsdown Park, Hartsdown Road, Margate)

First Round Results (in order of appearance):
Ramsgate  2-1  Thamesmead Town
Bromley  2-1  Ashford Town
Tonbridge Angels 0-2 Folkestone Invicta
Sittingbourne 0-4 Gravesend & Northfleet
Welling United 3-1 Chatham Town
Dartford 3-1 Cray Wanderers

Byes: Margate (holders), Dover Athletic (runners-up)