There’s a lot of talk about how Punjab should win the League but we will have something so say about that, I’m sure, insists K Sports striker Caine Smith

K SPORTS' talisman striker Caine Smith says team spirit will help the Aylesford based club land promotion from the Southern Counties East Football League First Division next month.

The Paperboys are fighting it out with Gravesend-based Punjab United to win the title and one point separates them going into the final nine league games of the season.

K Sports came away from Dartford with a 4-2 win over Kent Football United last Saturday and Smith said: “It was a massive result! Being 2-0 down and getting stick given to us off the opposition, which we responded well too and the end result shows that!

“The first half was very open and we could’ve been 4-4 come half-time.  Second half we used the slope to our advantage and pinned them in and took our chances well.”

Two sides go up from this division into the Premier Division and K Sports lead the way on 66 points, followed by Punjab United, while third-placed Fisher (on 54 points from 26 games) are visiting on Saturday, subject to the wintry blast.

“The season has been massive for the club, being up there with the likes of Punjab and Fisher and the like has shown how improved we truly are,” said Smith.

“Games we have thought we were out of our league in, we’ve overcome those obstacles and shown that we deserved to be there.”

Smith has scored 28 goals in all competitions for K Sports this season but Sporting Club Thamesmead hot-shot Josh Patrick has bagged 35 goals.

Smith said: “I’m proud but I believe I could’ve had more and should be up close with the top boys in the League but as my recent performances have shown, I am catching.  I aim to be on par or above come the end of the season.   I am aiming for 40+ so there’s still a way to go!

“I’m not quite happy with myself this season as I would have liked to be putting the ball away much more often and pulling away from the other top scorers in the league.”

Loyalty in football nowadays doesn’t count for much, but Smith revealed the reasons why he has stayed loyal to his current club.

“Club’s have a lot of talk about players they want in etc,  What offers have I had? What offers!

“I stayed at the club because of the facilities they have to offer, the team spirit this club has is unbelievable and nothing can beat what the club has, which is everyone has the same passion to win week-in-week-out.

“I signed for the club when I was 17 in 2012.  The only thing that has changed, I would say, is the commitment from every individual and the togetherness the team has.  We are happy to play anyone and can honestly say we believe we can beat them.”

Smith is keen to land his first senior honour by winning the Southern Counties East Football League First Division title next month.

He said: “The battle with a club like Punjab United for the league is healthy and what we all play for. You wouldn’t want a league you could stroll through and neither would the League followers.

“It would be an achievement not only for myself but the club as a whole but there’s still a long way to go but I can’t wait for the run in to continue.

“There’s a lot of talk about how Punjab should win the League but we will have something so say about that, I’m sure!”

K Sports and Fisher both play on an artificial pitch and the two sides lock horns at Cobdown, where defeat for Dean Harrison’s men will put them out of the promotion race.

Smith said: “I can’t wait to play Fisher again! They have a good following, which turn up every week.

“Last time I was on the bench and came on to score the equaliser. Hopefully, this time I’m able to play and score the winning goal and get us one step closer to that promotion and hopefully winning the league.

“Our team spirit is high for this weekend if the game is on and I’m sure it will be a very good action-packed game.

“My game has changed massively this season and I’m glad to be pushing the club towards promotion.

“Like I have mentioned, we wouldn’t be where we are now without our team morale and team spirit and the great squad we have available.”

Smith finished the interview by revealing something that no one knows about.

“I’m 23, live in Offham and I’m a mechanical estimator and I have kept one of my football boots from every single pair I’ve ever had from being eight, so I have a random collection of single boots.”

Visit K Sports’ website: www.ksports-fc.co.uk

K Sports  v  Fisher
Southern Counties East Football League First Division
Saturday 3 March 2018
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Cobdown, Station Road, Aylesford, Kent ME20 6AU