We’ve got a tough 2019 to stay in the league and make sure we’ve got a platform to build off for next season and then we’ll take it from there, says Sevenoaks Town boss Micky Collins

SEVENOAKS TOWN manager Micky Collins reflects on a great 2018 for the club.

 

The Oaks won promotion from the Southern Counties East Football League Premier by winning the title by six points alongside fellow promoted side Whitstable Town.

Sevenoaks Town go into the New Year sitting in thirteenth-place in the Bostik South East Division table, having won six and drawn three of their 18 league games.

The club went down to a 1-0 defeat at home to league leaders Cray Wanderers at the weekend.

Luke Coleman missed a 40^th minute penalty for Sevenoaks, a poor spot-kick was caught by Nick Blue and Freddie Parker came off the bench to score a deserved winner for Tony Russell’s side just a couple of minutes before the final whistle.

Sevenoaks Town are seven points clear of bottom side Herne Bay, who they play at Winch's Field Park on Saturday.

The Bay came away from Sittingbourne with a 3-2 win at the weekend with striker Jake Embery scoring his 18^th goal of the season with the first goal from the spot.

“It will be a tough game,” warned Collins, who has done his homework on John Embery and Jermaine Darlington’s side by sending scout Simon Kidby to Woodstock Park.

“We’ve had some good reports on Herne Bay and their league position is unjustified with what we’ve heard. 

“They’ve just haven’t had the rub of the green.  They’ve been unlucky at times and that’s going to be a toughie.  We have to turn up and be at it and play as well as we did against Cray Wanderers and hopefully we’ll take the chances that come our way.”

Sevenoaks Town’s most successful manager in their entire history, reflected on the past 12 months.

“It’s been a fantastic year. We’ve got the promotion this year and we’ve done what we’ve asked and now we’ve got to consolidate,” said Collins.

“We’ve got a tough 2019 to stay in the league and make sure we’ve got a platform to build off for next season and then we’ll take it from there.

“We’ve just got to keep winning games. We had a great little run and then we’ve had a bit of a blip and the Sittingbourne game (losing 4-1) was a bit unjust really because we haven’t been playing like that.”

Sevenoaks have lost 1-0 to both Hastings United and Cray Wanderers in their past two games – two clubs are that vying for promotion.

“We’ve been kicked between the legs twice in two games where we could’ve got something out of it,” said Collins.

“I’m not saying we could’ve got three points but we could’ve got points and that’s not happened but I know what we’re capable off and now they’ve got to deliver it and show me that they want to be here and they want to perform and want to get us up the table and I’m sure they will.”

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

Herne Bay v Sevenoaks Town
Bostik South East Division
Saturday 5 January 2019
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Winch's Field, Stanley Gardens, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 5SG