A different approach has seen a massive improvement in the players' performances, says Kent Football United boss Ennio Gonnella

KENT FOOTBALL UNITED manager Ennio Gonnella says hard work on the training ground has turned the club into serious title contenders.

The Dartford based outfit have climbed up to second-place in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division table with 33 points from 14 games – five points adrift of unbeaten league leaders Rusthall but with a couple of games in hand.

Reflecting on their 2-0 win at Meridian VP last weekend, Gonnella said: “The boys were outstanding. They really performed well and are now forming in to a difficult side to beat.  To be honest the 2-0 result does not reflect the game at all. It should have been 5-0 by half-time. We dominated for 90 minutes.

“Going into this game we have lost one league game in 12 and that one loss to Glebe was a learning curve, so we are working hard in training to put the bad, right.”

Kent Football United host FC Elmstead on Saturday, with Fabio Rossi’s side sitting in the bottom six.

“We have already played them this season in a Cup game. The result to be honest is irrelevant as I’m sure Elmstead made just as many changes to the starting eleven as we did.

“What we do know is they are a young and energetic side and they do try and play good football.

“We have so far this week prepared well for this and like to think our current form will continue on Saturday to keep the pressure on Rusthall at the top of the table.”

Laurent Hamici, Jordan Johnson-Palmer and James Dunn have left the club in recent weeks.

“By mutual consent,” added Gonnella.

“I would like to thank all of them for their efforts and contributions to me and the team and wish them all the best.

“We welcome this month Marcus Cassius and goalkeeper Luke Roberts, both have settled in very well and I have noticed the added quality they bring to the team already and will no doubt both be assets to reaching our goals this season.”

Gonnella has brought in former Queens Park Rangers professional Angeloa Lione as coach.

“The boys’ have reacted to him in a positive way and has brought a different approach to the boys, one that’s seeing a massive improvement in the players’ performances,” added Gonnella.

Visit Kent Football United’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/kentelitefootballclub

Kent Football United  v  FC Elmstead
Southern Counties East Football League First Division
Saturday 19^th November 2016
Kick Off 2:00pm
at Cranford Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1JP