I can see it's going to be a really tough league, says Sevenoaks Town boss Micky Collins

SEVENOAKS TOWN manager Micky Collins says his start to the new Isthmian League South East Division campaign will be tough.

 

The Oaks finished in tenth-place at the end of their debut campaign at this level, having banked 47 points from their 36 league outings.

Sevenoaks Town kick-off their new league campaign with a trip to Three Bridges on Saturday 17 August, before hosting relegated side Whitehawk to Greatness Park on Tuesday 17 August (19:30).

Collins then takes his side to Burgess Hill Town to contest a FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie on 24 August, before a trip to newly-promoted Cray Valley (Paper Mills) two days later, before hosting Whitstable Town on the Saturday.

“Tough, tough start for us,” said Collins, whose side welcome Tunbridge Wells in tomorrow’s pre-season outing.

“Three Bridges on a Saturday, Whitehawk at home on the Tuesday, FA Cup away at Burgess Hill on the Saturday and then Cray Valley on the Monday – wowzers!

“That’s a tough four, that’s a tough start for anybody but I’ll be brutally honest, I don’t think they’ll fancy playing us either.

“It is what it is, it’s an even playing field and after four games, maybe six games, you’ll have half a clue whether we’re going to be up there challenging or whether we’re going to be midtable fodder or lower.”

When asked about the standard of the league this season, Collins replied: “Tough, very tough! I think there will be some good sides in it.  I can see that.  I can see it's going to be a really tough league.

“There’s a lot of money being spent and a lot of people are going out and signing a lot of good players and if they bed in quickly, it’s going to be really tough.

“Do you know what, I don’t worry about that, worry about us! I always have done and I worry about what we’re doing and are we organised enough to compete? 

“By the 17^th of August, in my opinion, we’ll be organised.  We’ve got three pre-season games to put that right.”

Visit Sevenoaks Town’s website: www.sevenoakstownfc.co.uk