We have had the backing from the committee after a poor run of results, says Sporting Club Thamesmead joint-manager Danny Joy

SPORTING CLUB THAMESMEAD joint-manager Danny Joy says he has been given the vote of confidence going into tomorrow’s FA Vase Second Qualifying Round tie at Ringmer.

Joy and Ross Baker have struggled since taking over at Bayliss Avenue and they sit in the bottom two of the Southern Counties East Football League Division One table, having won one and drawn one of their seven league outings.

They only have Lewisham Borough below them in the table. Ray Simpson’s side have lost all 10 of their league games.

But Joy says he is keeping positive despite coming away from the Ladywell Arena with a 3-2 defeat to Forest Hill Park on Wednesday night.

“We’re extremely disappointed with not gaining maximum points. It was by far our best performance of the season,” he said.

“We should have been 3-0 up at half-time following a dominating display, in which we hit the bar and had two cleared off the line from set-pieces.

“We asked the boys to keep up the tempo and drive going at the start of the second half but we didn’t come out of the changing room and within 10 crazy minutes found ourselves 3-0 down!

“The first goal was five-yards offside, we switched off for the second goal and the third goal was when we were on the attack and they broke and scored.

“We made three changes almost instantly and had a positive effect as we hit back straight away with two quick goals and with 15 minutes to go Forest Hill were camped in their half and we missed numerous chances to not only get a point but go on and win the game.

“After the match Forest Hill’s chairman was scratching his head as to how they had won the game and one of their players said we deserved to win comfortably.

“Mixed feelings for me and Ross (Baker) as we were proud of the fightback but felt that except for 10 minutes out of the 90 we totally dominated and warranted three points.

“A big step forward in performance going into tomorrow’s game.

“Following a tough start for us in the league, while still feeling our play has merited more points than we have, but that’s football, I guess.

Sporting Club Thamesmead travel to Sussex to play Ringmer in The FA Vase tomorrow.

Ringmer play in the same level as Sporting Club Thamesmead and are third-from-bottom in the Southern Combination First Division table. They have played six and have collected four points in the league this season.

“Tomorrow is a new adventure for me and Ross and also for Sporting Club Thamesmead. It’s a very big game for everyone connected with the club and a game we feel confident of getting a good result in,” said Joy, ahead of the club’s fourth FA Cup tie, looking for their first victory in the competition.

“There is a growing spirit in the team and things are settling down within the squad.  Everyone will be doing their utmost to get a win and be in the hat for the next round draw come Monday lunchtime.

“We feel we are turning the corner and a run of good results is not far too away so hopefully tomorrow will be the start of better things.

“We have had the backing from the committee after a poor run of results and that has given us a new confidence as a management team to keep pushing forward and start getting the results we need.”

Visit Sporting Club Thamesmead’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/sportingclubthamesmeadfc

Ringmer  v  Sporting Club Thamesmead
The Buildbase FA Vase Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 24^th September 2016
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Caburn Ground, Anchor Field, Ringmer, East Sussex BN8 5QW