Sevenoaks Town 3 VCD Athletic 3 Ford: I'm proud of my youngsters - EXCLUSIVE

Wednesday 19th April 2006

SEVENOAKS TOWN 3
Ryan Hackett 19
James Dalton 29,90

VCD ATHLETIC 3
Juan Ramirez 40,46
Richard Esson 65

Stephen McCartney reports from Greatness Park
Kentish Observer League

A last-gasp equaliser from Sevenoaks Town’s top-scorer James Dalton prevented an embarrassing defeat against a VCD Athletic side that contained a mixture of youth and reserve team players.

VCD Athletic boss Martin Ford made ELEVEN changes to his starting line up that lost 3-0 at Maidstone United on Easter Monday, with Juan Ramirez, Dan McGuiness and Alan Owen, who were substitutes at Bourne Park, starting tonight.

And it was fifteen-year-old tiny striker Ramirez that scored twice in the space of six minutes - either side of half-time - to claw Vickers back on level terms after the basement boys enjoyed a rare lead.

Mainstay Ryan Hackett drove a left-footed shot from 18-yards that went in off the foot of the left post to give Sevenoaks Town a 19^th minute lead - which left Greatness Park stunned to silence.

Before the right-sided midfielder netted his first goal of the season, Owen twice went close for the visitors.

Sevenoaks squandered numerous chances before doubling their goal tally ten minutes later.

Hackett played a great ball with the outside of his right boot to Charlie Hawes down the right flank. His left-footed cross found Nick Reeves in the middle but he shot into the ground, deceiving the young goalkeeper and Dalton stabbed home from two yards.

Ramirez opened his goalscoring account for the first team after 40 minutes when he stabbed the ball over the advancing Sevenoaks goalkeeper, John-Paul Green and the ball dropped into the empty net.

The impressive young striker drew his side level within two minutes of the second half when he scored a carbon copy of his first senior goal.

Ramirez won his side a free kick after 65 minutes and burly midfielder Richard Esson found the top left hand corner with his right-footed 22-yarder, which left Green rooted to the spot.

Sevenoaks created more chances late on and Dalton was denied after 78 minutes when his right-footed drive from 25-yards bounced off the foot of the right post. Mike Cook, however, lost his composure and his follow up shot looped over.

But Dalton’s fifth goal of the season spared the home side’s blushes when he tapped home from close range after 16-year-old goalkeeper Joe Booker spilled Hackett’s initial shot.

“We had the chances but we didn’t take the chances,” admitted Sevenoaks’ joint-manager Bob Pittaway after the game.

“They had everything to play for. The kids were looking to improve and impress the manager.

“We just gave away three stupid goals really - sums up the whole season.”

His opposite number, Martin Ford, however, was a proud man as his young guns collected a point.

“I thought they were absolutely super tonight,” he said. “Four or five 16-year-old kids in there and I was so proud of them.

“Proud of Steve (Webb) as well, getting a side out tonight.”

Ford admitted his side’s “horrendous” end of season fixture pile-up, caused by successful cup runs, forced him to field a weakened side, and he will do exactly the same against Erith Town at Harrow Meadow on Saturday, which is their last league game.

Rest assured though, they will be back to full strength in the Kent League Cup Final against Maidstone United on 29^th April at Folkestone Invicta’s Buzzlines Stadium.

“No disrespect to Sevenoaks or Erith Town again on Saturday, as I’ve said to you before, our lads have just come through a horrendous fixture pile up and we’re losing one or two players every game.

“The sensible thing was not to play the last two games, otherwise we’re going to be so depleted when we play Maidstone and the last side you want to be depleted is Maidstone United.”

Ford added: “The young kids have enjoyed tonight and they’ll play against Erith Town on Saturday. They should have plenty of confidence, whether they’ll keep that level of performance up is another matter but at the end of the day they’ve done the club proud.”

Sevenoaks will, however, finish the campaign rooted to the foot of the table as they aren't good enough to get anything from Maidstone United, who travel to Greatness Park on Saturday with at least 500 fans hoping they can finish above Beckenham Town, who travel to Erith & Belvedere.

* We shall bring you EXCLUSIVE interviews with Sevenoaks Town’s club manager Graham Logsdon and Martin Ford later.

Sevenoaks Town: John-Paul Green, Andy Mills, Dwayne Okocha, Darren Pearson, Alex Osborne, Charlie Hawes, Ryan Hackett, James Dalton, Dexley Fidyk (Ian Trim 45), Nick Reeves, Mike Cook.
Subs: Chris Hackett.
VCD Athletic: Joe Booker, Dan McGuiness, Scott Ketts, Tom Holland, Nick Hulance, Juan Ramirez, Adam Blew (Simon Evans 62), Richard Esson, Daniel Tarrant, Alan Owen, Ben Kemp.
Subs: Terry Beamore, Jason Antonio, Steve Webb.
Attendance: 46
Referee: Ian Fissenden
Assistants: Mr M Hughes & Mr N Goodhew