Larkin has a score to settle

Monday 17th August 2009

TUNBRIDGE WELLS boss Martin Larkin takes has told his side to take advantage of their second bite of the cherry in the FA Cup on Tuesday night, writes Stephen McCartney.

Newly-wed Larkin was bitterly disappointed by his side’s performance during their 2-2 home draw against local rivals Sevenoaks Town on Saturday - and demands improvement for tomorrow night’s replay at Greatness Park.

Sevenoaks were by far the better side during the Extra Preliminary Round tie at Culverden Stadium on Saturday, but Alex Rich’s drive grabbed the Wells a 35th minute lead against the run of play.

But Sevenoaks bounced back and netted two goals inside the opening eight minutes of the second half through Chris Walker and Matt Foreman.

The turning point, however, came in the 64th minute when Sevenoaks midfielder Guy Smith was sent-off and Tunbridge Wells substitute John Pilbeam salvaged a draw with an 80th minute volley.

However, had it not been for the heroics of Slovakian goalkeeper Mikelle Czanner, then it would have been Sevenoaks Town who would be travelling to Ryman League Division One South side Dulwich Hamlet in the Preliminary Round on 29th August.

“There’s some unfinished business there,” admitted Larkin, when speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk after Saturday’s sorry performance from his side.

“I was the youth team manager at Ashford in the FA Youth Cup, we got all through to the first round proper and lost to Dulwich, so I’d like to go back there and put that right.

“They’re obviously one of the big non-league football clubs and it will be nice to go there and put on a show again.

“It will show these guys, who at the moment all think they should be playing in a higher league, so it will show them what it’s all about.

“But again they have to go and do the basic things Tuesday night, address the problems off today, listen to us. If we do that we’ll be ok.”

Larkin has promised to make changes for the replay.

“The possession wasn’t good today, we didn’t play it around the park as much, no width, a little bit too deep at the back but it’s more about personal responsibility,” Larkin fumed.

“There were three or four players that didn’t turn up and they are our big players and if they turn up Tuesday and play properly, we should be ok.”

When asked who the favourites are for Tuesday’s Greatness Park battle, Larkin replied, “I’d imagine they think they are because I’d imagine if there was no sending off then they would probably have held on.

“We’ll go there, away from home, it’s a nice pitch there, we’ll get it down and play and we’ll see what happens.”

Visit Sevenoaks Town’s website: www.sevenoakstownfc.org

Visit Tunbridge Wells’ website: www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk

Sevenoaks Town v Tunbridge Wells
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Extra Preliminary Round Replay
Tuesday 18th August 2009
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Greatness Park, Mill Lane, Seal Road, Sevenoaks, Kent