Robbins heaps pressure on table-topping rivals'

TUNBRIDGE WELLS opened up the race for the Bulmers Cider Kent League title with a comfortable 1-0 victory over Holmesdale at Culverden Stadium last night, writes Stephen McCartney.

Wes Tate’s 41^st minute goal proved to be telling, as third-placed Wells moved to within two points off the Bromley based side and leaders Hythe Town, who are both on 26 points.

Holmesdale welcome Hythe Town to Oakley Road on Saturday, whilst Tunbridge Wells should rack up a cricket score at perennial whipping boys, Sporting Bengal United, a side yet to pick up a point from their eight games so far.

“While I wouldn’t exactly call it a make-or-break game on Tuesday night, you’d have to say there would have been a gap forming between us and the top two if we hadn’t got the result against Holmesdale,” admitted Robbins, when speaking to www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk.

“Now the gauntlet goes back to the top two. How will Hythe fare against Holmesdale on Saturday in the light of what we achieved? Perhaps they go up there not to lose. How will Holmesdale respond - can they bounce back?”

It has been a good week for Robbins’ men, having knocked VCD Athletic out of the Kent League Cup at the weekend, with a 3-2 aggregate win.

“Let’s think to a year back,” recalled Robbins. “If we had to play a side in the top two, right after a League Cup match against the current team to beat, could you imagine us winning both games? We’ve just enjoyed two hours of close to perfect football during the week.

“During our two games in the last week, we went from playing on a pitch that really suited our passing game at VCD to playing on a pitch at Culverden that was cutting up.

“We were able to transfer the performance regardless of surface against Holmesdale and nobody could have guessed we were the lower placed team.

“It’s funny really, as on Saturday at VCD, you wouldn’t have known who the home team were either.

“That’s not meant disrespectfully towards either Holmesdale or VCD, but is simply a reflection of the performance we put in.”

Tunbridge Wells are expected to add to their goal-difference when they travel to the Mile End Stadium to play a side that are not good enough to play at this level of football.

But Robbins wants his side to remain professional when they lock horns with Sporting Bengal United.

“If we approached Sporting Bengal wrong, and didn’t get three points, what would Tuesday count for,” came Robbins reply.

“We have to prepare for them in the same way. They are as much of a hard working side as us, and the strength of their side can vary, so we need to be ready.

“To my mind, this game is as big to us as Tuesday night’s game was!”

“We will keep the focus on winning our games as they come. We can only look out for ourselves.”

Quotes courtesy of www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk

Sporting Bengal United v Tunbridge Wells
Bulmers Cider Kent League
Saturday 8^th November 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Mile End Stadium, Rhodeswell Road, London E14 4TW