Kerr: I felt sorry for the Banbury goalkeeper - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

Tonbridge Angels goalkeeper Aaron Kerr “felt sorry” for his opposite number last night, writes Stephen McCartney.

Third choice Banbury United goalkeeper Milan Basiric, making his sixth start of the season, endured a torrent of abuse from both sets of supporters as Tonbridge Angels booked their place in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup with a resilient 2-1 win at the Spencer Stadium.

A howler from the young goalkeeper gifted the west Kent side the lead, against the run of play, after 12 minutes.

Fraser Logan’s far post corner was whipped in towards the far post but Basiric dropped the ball at Scott Kinch’s feet and the former Tooting & Mitcham United midfielder stabbed home the gift from three yards to score his third goal of the season.

But Kinch had made a superb save from Jermaine McSporran, who was making his home debut, just six minutes earlier.

The former Northern Irish under 21 international goalkeeper, however, was beaten in the 76^th minute when Banbury substitute Daniel Szczukiewicz rifled home a shot into the top right hand corner with his first kick of the game, after fellow bench warmer Stuart Bridges drilled in a low cross from the right off the slippery surface.

But Kent’s most prolific striker, Jon Main, netted his 11^th goal in as many games, latching onto Logan’s pass to slot home into the bottom right hand corner just five minutes later.

Tonbridge, who last reached the fourth and final qualifying round 15 years ago when they lost to Yeovil Town at home, have a great chance of reaching that round this time out.

They travel to Cheshunt, a side currently fourth from bottom in the Southern Premier League, and if Tonbridge can beat a side that’s fourth in that division, surely they can defeat Cheshunt on their travels?

But Kerr, 23, was pleased that the Angels booked their trip to Theobalds Lane on 14 October.

“I think it was more of an awkward night, very, very wet and the pitch was a bit soft and we ground out the result at the end,” he said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk after the game.

“It’s always difficult when you go away anywhere but they were a decent team. They gave us a good game and I think we deserved the win in the end.”

But he felt sorry for his opposite number, especially after he endured a night of abuse from the North Oxfordshire club’s faithful.

“I think their goalkeeper got a bit of abuse but I mean I think it’s hard when your own fans are on your back - it’s an absolute nightmare,” said ever-present Kerr, whose kept five clean sheets in 13 games for his new club.

“I felt sorry for him to be fair,” he added. “I think the abuse didn’t help him. I don’t think he did that badly for the (first) goal. I think he was fouled a little bit, but I’m just a goalkeeper saying it.”

But Kerr revealed he has been on the back of abuse from his own fans, at Rotherham United, and here in Kent at Gravesend & Northfleet last season.

Liam Daish’s highflying Fleet visit the Betterview Longmead Stadium in the first round of the Kent Senior Cup, on a date to be arranged by both clubs.

When asked when he had to endure abuse, Kerr recalled: “Where did I have it now….? When I was at Rotherham. I didn’t start well at Rotherham and I had it at Gravesend.

“They warmed to me in the end but at the start I had a very poor pre-season. Every time I did something wrong there was a moan and it doesn’t help and it takes a lot of character to come through the other side.

“Luckily they came round in the end and started getting on my side but it took a while to get them back.

“Once you’ve put in a few bad performances it takes a while to get them back on your side.”

But the Gravesend based goalkeeper praised strikers Andy Martin and Jon Main.

He said: “Jon’s a special, special player. Andy Martin is a special player as well. I don’t think I’ve seen two better strikers in this league and they work so well together. The two of them are very special.”

Tonbridge Angels are at home for their next two games, welcoming Leyton in the Ryman Premier League on Saturday and division one south entertainers Dartford in the third round of the Westview Cup next Tuesday before their trip to Cheshunt.

“I think any game we play is a winnable game,” added Kerr. “I think any game we play we can match any team for football and we can match any team for hard work.”

But Kerr is happy just concentrating on playing football, and not working during the day, adding: “All I want to do is play football. I’ve got a couple of niggling injuries at the minute so being part-time helps me.

“As long as I’m playing, at a decent level of football, I’m happy enough.”

Kerr’s former Gravesend & Northfleet team mate, Scott Gooding, however, was impressive at the heart of the Angels’ defence, in the absence of Steve Aris (‘flu).

“Just the kind of game you have to come an scrape out tonight,” Gooding said. “It’s all about having eleven leaders out on the pitch, everyone digging deep, working hard for each other and getting the result.

“It’s not always going to be pretty but we got the right result in the end and hopefully we can push on.”

Roared on by 100 travelling supporters, players had to make personal sacrifices to make the 230 mile round trip.

“At the end of the day the boys have been working hard all day and it’s a long way to come,” said Gooding.

“A two and a half hour journey, everyone’s dug deep, they’ve come from work, got here on time and everyone’s given their all to get the right result in the end.”

At the start of the season the west Kent club insisted their main aim was to stay in the Ryman Premier League.

But after nine league games they have bagged six wins and one draw and sit just two points behind big spending leaders Bromley.

“I think the team can push on,” insists Gooding. “When I first came here I spoke to Tony (Dolby) and I asked him what his thoughts were and he said “he wanted to push on.”

“He’s signed some other new boys and with what we already had was quality anyway so with the addition of the new boys I think we’ve got a good enough squad to push on and go for higher things next year. Obviously promotion would be great.”

And Gooding feels the club can reach the fourth and qualifying round, but warned strugglers Cheshunt won’t be easy.

“Definitely a winnable game, but it’s away,” he said. “It’s always tough away but it’s the FA Cup and you never know what can happen.

“But I’m sure if we give the dedication we gave tonight, and all the boys have got a good attitude, I’m sure we’ll come away with a winning result there and maybe pull out a nice Conference side in the round after.”

Main, meanwhile, increased his goalscoring target from 20-25 to thirty.

Scoring the Angels’ equaliser in Saturday’s 1-1 draw on home soil, which earned the lucrative replay, Main added: “Obviously we should have won Saturday but I think we came here and done a job tonight.”

And the former VCD Athletic and Cray Wanderers striker increased his goalscoring target for the season, having netted 11 goals in just 11 games. He added: “I want 30 - I’m aiming for 30.”

Boss Tony Dolby, yet to start a game, is delighted with the feel good factor on and off the pitch at the club, and wants Leyton to be their next victims in front of a passionate Longmead faithful of 600 on Saturday.

He said: “I think at the moment every game is winnable for us if we turn up and play the way we know we can.

“So Leyton hold no fears but we certainly don’t want to be too complacent about anybody we play against.”