Soccer Shorts: Erith & Belvedere unveil the arrival of player-joint assistant Aaron Lacy

BROMLEY have unveiled the signing of left-winger Mitchell Pinnock, 19, following his release from League Two side Southend United.

He started his career at Arsenal before moving to Southn United in 2010, where he came through the youth ranks at Roots Hall, signing a two-year professional deal at the club towards the end of his final year in the youth team.

The Gravesend-born midfielder also spent time on loan at Ryman Premier League side East Thurrock United last season and is added to Mark Goldberg’s squad for the Vanarama Conference South clash against Bath City at Hayes Lane tomorrow.

CROWBOROUGH ATHLETIC boss Sean Muggeridge insists he is working hard to turn the club’s fortunes around.

The Crows have won four and lost eight of their first 12 games in the Southern Counties East Football League, sitting in fourteenth-place, and Muggeridge told his club’s website that things can be better.

“It never helps a team to gel when you have plenty of changes and we seem to have had more than our fair share so far, most out of our control as well.

“We tried to bring some experience to the squad during the summer, mainly because we were entering in to a new adventure with the Southern Counties East Football League and felt we needed some players who knew about the league and the teams within it.

“However, we were unfortunate that Andy McMath had to go home to Ireland and this affected his close friend, Michal Czanner, who then decided to go back to Tunbridge Wells FC in a player/coach role.

“Recently, of course, I lost my joint manager, Simon Colbran, but that is football at this level, people come and go and you just have to get on with it, that's why we love the beautiful game.

“As a result of Simon leaving I was more than happy that Mark Irvine was willing to step up from his goalkeeping coach role to become my assistant manager and we'll both be working hard to make sure we get the best results we can.

Also, and this isn't an excuse by the way, the clubs we have played in the majority, have Ryman League budgets, which gives them the chance to get players with greater experience, however, once we can get a settled side and some players back from injury, things will improve for us as well.

“I always look for the positives and we'll have an extra four quality players available to us anytime now and our forward line looks top drawer when we can get Wayne Clarke, Chris Ransome and Sam Carrington, added to those we already have, all on the pitch at the same time.

“We need to defend as a team for 90 minutes, rather than 70 minutes, as we did against Corinthian last Saturday and when we get that element of our play right, then we'll be fine.

“Mid-week games have meant it's been difficult for us to work on team shape and formation in training sessions, however, this week we've been able to have two good evenings and I'm more than happy with the players attitude as we look forward to the visit of Ashford United.

“We know they'll be a tough side to play against but I also know our players will give their all on Saturday to get a positive result for themselves, the club and our fans.

“I would like to thank our supporters who, win, lose or draw, make a point of clapping us off the pitch home and away and I can assure you the management and players are working tirelessly to give you the performances and results you deserve.

“Please carry on cheering the team at every opportunity as it does make a difference to all of us when striving to get the right result.”

DEAL TOWN manager Dave Johncock says he believes his side can climb away from the foot of the Southern Counties East Football League table.

The club are now second-from-bottom in the table with 8 points from 11 games following their 1-0 home win over fellow strugglers Erith Town last weekend.

“Last week’s win over Erith Town was an important win for us,” said Johncock.

“After the Canterbury defeat the week before, where we were terrible, we had to look at ourselves a bit and accept it wasn’t good enough!

“We made a couple of changes, which helped freshen things up and the players responded with a better team performance.

“The lads worked hard and we were down to ten men for the last 20 minutes and it was a cracking strike from Danny Smith to win us the game.

“The belief has returned again as the win not only moved us off the bottom but also closed the gap further on the teams above us.

“Teams are taking points off each other so there is still a lot of work to do to keep climbing the table.”

Deal Town host Pain & Glory Sports Kent Invicta League side Sutton Athletic to the Charles Sports Ground tomorrow to contest a Kent Senior Trophy Sponsored by Darenth Print & Design First Round tie.

“We have a week away from the league this week when we play Sutton Athletic,” added Johncock. 

“They’re a decent, steady side who have had a great start this season and have picked up some useful results, including beating Lydd Town.

“They would think that they can hold their own if they were in the Southern Counties East Football League so they will be confident in beating the team second from bottom but our form over the last five or six games doesn’t reflect our league position and we’re going to give 100% to make sure we have a decent cup run.” 

DULWICH HAMLET travel to Metropolitan Police in the Ryman Premier League tomorrow, sitting in fourth-place in the table, nine points adrift of leaders Maidstone United.

The Police are two places lower than The Hamlet and manager Gavin Rose said: “Saturday’s game will be a tough encounter against Met Police, who have a particularly impressive home record so far this season.

“It will be a tough encounter which we hope to take something away from, after a narrow loss against Bognor last week.”

ERITH & BELVEDERE manager Matt Longhurst says it has been an eventful seven days for the Southern Counties East Football League leaders.

The Deres are eight points clear at the top of the table after coming away from Beckenham Town with a 2-1 win last weekend.

Longhurst said: “Last week was a massive result away to Beckenham Town, who I feel are the best team in the league on their day.

“We showed character after going down to ten men so early in the game.  I was pleased with the boys’ determination and we still showed some quality and the winning goal was just that a real piece of individual brilliance from Jake Britnell.

“I said last week losing Alfie somebody would step up and he did just that!”

Longhurst added: “An eventful seven days really losing Alfie May (who has signed for Farnborough) was an obvious blow but bringing in Chris Seenan from Tunbridge Wells was a plus as was bringing in Aaron Lacy from Tunbridge Wells.

“Aaron comes in as player joint assistant manager and has proven a big hit in the dressing room and gives us a massive boost to the experience in the dressing room as a player as well as great enthusiasm and know how in the dug- out having played at a great level and won many honours and I'm pleased he chose us after having several other offers.”

The Deres travel to Lordswood in the Kent Senior Trophy Sponsored by Darenth Print & Design tomorrow.

Looking forward to the First Round tie, Longhurst said: “We face an inform Lordswood team. 

“Jason (Lillis) will obviously be looking for them to continue their good form.  They are at home, which is always a tough place to go so it will without doubt be a tough game.

“We've had them watched and go into the game full strength. We’ll make a couple of changes to adapt to the game and opposition and go out and try and get through to the next round.

“The players are working so hard as a group and must take great credit so far this season.

“We’re slowly getting to where we want to be performance wise but it’ll take time so we just take it game by game and go from there.”

GRAVESHAM BOROUGH boss Grant Duff says he will make changes for tomorrow’s Kent Senior Trophy Sponsored by Darenth Design & Print First Round tie at Rusthall.

Duff’s side went down to a 2-1 defeat at Bearsted last weekend and Duff admitted: “Bearsted was a game of two halves.  We frustrated them in the first half, played some great football and went a goal up.

“Second half was completely different.  They piled the pressure on us. It was backs against the walls. We couldn’t keep the ball and subsequently lost the game 2-1.

“Bearsted were an organised outfit and I expect them to be up there come the end of the season.”

Gravesham Borough are in eleventh-place in the Pain & Glory Sports Kent Invicta League table with three wins and three draws from ten league outings.

Looking forward to their trip to Jockey Farm tomorrow, Duff said: “We face Rusthall again this time in the Cup.  It was a great game last time we met and also it gives me a chance to play some players, Luke Everdon, Alex McKay and Michael Cullen, who need minutes.

“Shirts are up for grabs at the moment so it will be an interesting next couple of weeks.”

LYDD TOWN assistant manager Liam Smith says he appreciates the positive comments from fans over the way his side play.

Lydd Town are back in second-place in the Pain & Glory Sports Kent Invicta League table with seven wins and a draw from ten league games, a couple of points behind leaders Hollands & Blair.

The Lydders thrashed Orpington 5-1 last weekend and Smith said: “We returned to winning ways against a decent Orpington side, who in truth couldn’t handle our attacking football.

“We had our skipper Ryan Smith back from holiday which was a massive boost also.”

Lydd travel to Thamesmead tomorrow to face Seven Acre & Sidcup in the Kent Senior Trophy Sponsored by Darenth Print & Design First Round.

“Tomorrow’s game will be a tough trip to Seven Acre but the boys are buzzing for it as it’s a lovely ground and pitch, which will suit our style of football,” said Smith.

“Getting praise about the way we play was and is a real positive.”

PHOENIX SPORTS manager Steve O’Boyle says he’s forced into making changes for tomorrow’s Kent Senior Trophy Sponsored by Darenth Print & Design First Round tie at Crockenhill tomorrow.

“We have a few minor injuries for tomorrow’s game so I’m not going to risk them,” said O’Boyle, whose side are unbeaten in third-place in the Southern Counties East Football League this season.

“But it’s a good opportunity for some of the boys who have not played much lately, but I still think we have a strong squad for tomorrow’s game.

“We have Holmesdale at home on Wednesday night so hopefully they will be back fit then.”

RUSTHALL manager Gary Sharman says there is a massive incentive for his side to beat Gravesham Borough in the Kent Senior Trophy Sponsored by Darenth Print & Design tomorrow.

The Rustics will look forward to a mouth-watering clash against Tunbridge Wells in the next round should they win.

“Tomorrow’s fixture against Gravesham will be a hard fought battle,” said Sharman.

“We let a 2-0 lead slip last time we played each other and to be fair they wanted it more.

“This game, however, we need to be focused and battle through the whole game.

“It could be a super Second Round for the club and team. The win could result in a local derby against Tunbridge Wells, assuming they also do the business, so it’s hard work from everyone.”

Sharman was delighted with his side’s 3-1 home win over Bridon Ropes last weekend, which puts his side in the top nine in the Pain & Glory Sports Kent Invicta League table.

He said: “We got back on winning form last weekend. The players worked to instruction and for the full 90 minutes so we always looked like scoring.”

SEVENOAKS TOWN manager Micky Collins has signed defender Richard Davies on dual-registration terms from Maidstone United. 

SHEPPEY UNITED boss Kevin Hake is relishing tomorrow’s historic clash against Sevenoaks Town at Holm Park.

The two sides lock horns in the Kent Senior Trophy Sponsored by Darenth Print & Design First Round.

“Tomorrow sees us welcome Sevenoaks Town to Holm Park in what will be a historic day for Sheppey United,” said the manager.

“The last time the island had a competitive game against a team at this level was a generation ago.

“Everyone connected with the club should feel proud of this achievement as it has been a long time coming and one that we certainly won’t take for granted.”

The Ites are in fourth-place in the Pain & Glory Sports Kent Invicta League table after picking up seven wins and three defeats from their ten league outings.

Reflecting on their 4-1 win at Meridian VP last weekend, Hake said: “Last week saw us overcome a Meridian side that were fired up after the recent Cup fixture where we scored some late goals to win the game.

“The result was an important one especially as a lot of the other teams at the top won also, so it was good to keep the pressure on.”

Sheppey United are only three points adrift of league leaders Hollands & Blair.

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Steve McKimm heaped praise on his side after knocking Welling United out of the Kent Reliance Cup in midweek.

The Angels won the First Round tie 3-1 at Park View Road and welcome Grays Athletic to Longmead Stadium in the Ryman Premier League tomorrow.

Grays Athletic will be smarting from their 5-0 defeat to Vanarama Conference South Bromley in The FA Cup Third Qualifying Round Replay at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night.

McKimm said: “Without having a league game last Saturday, I played a first team against Welling in the Kent Cup to get minutes. They all applied themselves properly towards the game and gave 100%.

“Hampton was the last game and we were 2-0 winners so we’re looking to build on that.”

Meanwhile, the club have confirmed that striker Harrison Tweddell has decided for the time being to cease playing football to concentrate on his career outside the game.

A club statement said: “We of course respect Harrison’s decision and the door is always open for a return. We wish H the best of luck with his career, thank him for his efforts for the club and hope at some stage to see him back wearing an Angels shirt.”

Owen Kabodi and Qudus Bolaji have both been sent on loan to Ryman League Division One North clubs Brentwood Town and Cray Wanderers respectively.

WELLING UNITED player-manager Jamie Day says he wants his side to build on recent performances.

The Wings are in seventeenth-place in the Vanarama Conference table with 18 points from 16 games following their 4-1 home win over Liam Daish’s Nuneaton Town last weekend.

“The boys played very well last week and deserved the win,” said the midfielder.

“I thought our football at times was excellent.  We passed and moved with a good tempo.”

Day takes his side to Southport tomorrow, a side that are three places and three points lower than the Kent side.

Day added: “Tomorrow will be a difficult game against a side who have changed manager and had two or three good results of late so we need to play like we have done in recent weeks to get something from the match so hopefully we can carry that on.”

WOODSTOCK SPORTS’ assistant manager Chris Cooper has targeted his side to claim back-to-back wins.

The Sittingbourne-based club defeated Holmesdale 1-0 at Oakley Road last weekend and travel to Tunbridge Wells in the Kent Senior Trophy Sponsored by Darenth Print & Design tomorrow.

“We showed last week that if we are solid and resolute and if we stick to our game plan we can achieve some good things this season,” said Cooper, who is Lee Hockey’s assistant.

“I thought we used the ball intelligently and although Holmesdale had a lot of possession we contained them overall.

“The performances leading up to last week were not brilliant and the lads knew that they owed Lee a result. It was particularly pleasing also considering the majority of sides below us won as well.

“The aim now is back to back wins. Unfortunately so far this year we have been a bit inconsistent so building momentum is our next aim.

“Tunbridge Wells will be a totally different proposition to last week and we will have to be at our best to take a result. Their fans always make it a brilliant atmosphere and the lads will appreciate that.

“So far this year we have been unfortunate and lost narrowly in the cups but this is a nice one to get a run going in. We don't put any pressure on the lads however I think we all would all like to progress through the rounds.

“We know it will be tough as they are throwing some money at it this year and with their budget I'm sure they will be expecting to go far in this cup but we won't make it easy for them.”