Smells like teen spirit - Becks sign Lions pair on loan

Monday 11th September 2006

Tunbridge Wells called upon two sixteen-year-olds to help them beat Sussex County League minnows East Grinstead Town on Saturday.

Debutant Justin Shea played at the heart of the Wells defence as Martin Farnie’s side recorded their first competitive victory of the season, coming back from 2-0 down to score three late goals to win the FA Vase preliminary round tie at Culverden Stadium.

Local lad Shea was playing for Foresters in the Crowborough & District Football League last season.

Shea took full advantage of the desperate lack of fit or available experienced defenders at the club, and was solid as a rock in the number five shirt and displayed strength, positional awareness and wisdom beyond his years.

Coming on later in the game was the comparitively experienced Charlie Sharman who appeared as a substitute for the first team at the end of last season and also scored for the reserves.

Sharman was part of the same Foresters team as Shea as the club look to use local youngsters in the Kent League.

Combined Counties League side Farnham Town are the next opponents in the next round at Culverden Stadium on 23 September.

Beckenham Town, still reeling after two damaging league defeats, welcome back striker Ross Cable for Tuesday night’s clash against VCD Athletic.

Injury worries still plague the squad ahead of the game at Eden Park Avenue.

Steve McKenzie, Danny Lawson, Jamie Carter and Leon Dussard are still on the treatment table.

But striker Jones Awuah came through 90 minutes in their 3-2 defeat at Lordswood on Saturday and will be available for the game.

Boss Jason Huntley has signed goalkeeper Alan Brooks and central defender Dean Colley on a 35-day loan period from Millwall.

Meanwhile, treatment is due to start on the club’s Eden Park Avenue pitch following the diagnosis of Black Layer.

Black Layer is caused by a toxic accumulation of ammonia, nitrite, metal salts and sulphides in anaerobic often waterlogged and compacted conditions.

The normal remedy would be to dig up the entire pitch and start again, this would prove very costly therefore the club is going to apply the treatment.

Visit club wesites:

www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk

www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk