We will give it a go and see where it takes us, says Rochester United coach Kevin Brown

ROCHESTER UNITED coach Kevin Brown says his side will give it a go in a bid to reach the play-offs at the end of the season.

 

The Spartans are presently sitting in tenth-place in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division table with 35 points from their 23 games, 12 points adrift of the play-off zone but they do have three games in hand on fifth-placed side Bridon Ropes.

Reflecting on his side’s 4-4 home draw against Faversham Strike Force on Wednesday night, Brown said: “We went into the game full of confidence after beating league leaders Sutton Athletic 3-0 the week before.

“The boys have all been tremendous and going eight games unbeaten in the league and have brought in to what myself, Matt Hume and Steve Tremain are trying to build here and how we want them to set up and play.

“But we knew it would be a tough game as they are fighting for their lives to stay in the league.

“It was a very disappointing result in the end drawing 4-4 after being in control at 2-0 up but we stopped doing the right things in the right areas, something we have been doing religiously in the last eight games.

“Maybe a little bit of complacency crept in but we can’t be too hard on the boys, they have all been tremendous since we came in and they are a joy to work with.

“It was disappointing to concede four goals at home, especially when we have been working hard on our defensive shape and organisation over the last few weeks and conceding just one goal in five league games so to concede four at home was bitterly disappointing.

“But give Faversham Strike Force their due, they worked their socks off and battled to the end and had a couple of sharp little players up front that caused a few problems.

“Faversham Strike Force got their rewards by snatching an equaliser at the death – a goal I am not going to get into as I’ll get in trouble if I speak about it.

“After watching the video back this morning, this has not helped my mood today, put it that way!”

Stansfeld remain in second-place in the table, a point behind leaders Sutton Athletic but with three games in hand.

Stansfeld struggled to a 2-1 home win over FC Elmstead on Wednesday night and welcome Rochester United to Foxbury Avenue tomorrow.

“We are looking forward to locking horns with them.  They have been flying this season and they are a very good side,” said Brown.

“We go there with no fear and full of confidence, eight unbeaten in the league now and we are still in the play-off hunt with our games in hand.

“It will be a tough ask though as we are now playing Saturday-Wednesday until the end of March.

“We are a small squad but we have added a couple more players to the squad to help us in the run in and if anyone can do it, it’s this group of players can, that’s for sure. We will give it a good go and see where it takes us.”

Meanwhile, Rochester United have today completed the permanent signing of Ashford United attacker Levi Gold following a successful loan spell at Rede Court Road.

Stansfeld  v  Rochester United
Southern Counties East Football League First Division
Saturday 26 February 2022
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Foxbury Avenue, off Perry Street, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 6SD