Soccer Shorts: FA Cup history maker arrives in Kent

Click here for today’s Soccer Shorts, with news snippets from Kent football clubs at all levels of the game.

GILLINGHAM, back in Coca-Cola League Two, have signed Leeds United midfielder Curtis Weston, 21, on a one month loan, with a view to a permanent transfer.

Weston, who can play in midfield or on the wing, began his career at Millwall and he made the headlines when he became the youngest player to appear in an FA Cup Final, aged 17, in 2004.

Weston joined the Gills for training today and goes straight into the squad for tomorrow's friendly with Thurrock.

Manager Mark Stimson, speaking to www.gillinghamfc.co.uk, after today’s training session, was delighted with the signing.

He said: "Curtis can play wide right or in the centre of the pitch, he's versatile and at an early age looked set to be a big star.

"He followed Dennis Wise to Leeds but unfortunately, with the change of manager, things didn't work out for him.

"He will show a lot of energy and add a bit of quality too and that's what we're looking to add to the squad now.

“He's in for a month so we can take a look at him and he can have a look at us with a view to a permanent signing. He's got a hunger for the game and a determination and I'm really pleased to have him here."

DARTFORD boss Tony Burman has confirmed the departure of both Mark Green and Yohance Lewis.

But Lee Noble, who arrived from Ryman League Division One North side Brentwood Town has impressed enough during the pre-season friendlies to earn himself a contract with the Princes Park club.

The Darts have also signed Richard Ketchell (Brentwood Town) and James White (Great Wakering Rovers).

The Darts travel to Brockenhurst tomorrow.

EBBSFLEET UNITED, who welcome Maidstone United to Stonebridge Road tomorrow, have today announced details about it’s youth and ladies set-up.

They are expanding the club to include two girl’s age groups this season. For the coming season the club will run U13 and U11 girls teams and would like to invite any players interested in getting involved in girls football to come along to our open training sessions in August.

The first session will be free to all new players to find out about the club and we use qualified coaches to run these sessions at our girls development centre Thursday nights 7.00 - 9.00 at Northfleet School for Girls, Hall Road Northfleet.

Fleet spokeswoman, Tina Martin told www.kentishfootball.co.uk today: “We also run a well-established ladies team, that are desperately seeking new players to boost the existing squad.

“Last season we were Regional League runners up and Kent Cup finalists.

"We are seeking at least 3 experienced players, where first team opportunities will be available, in particular centre back, full back and strikers are being sought.

“Good player development opportunities exist at the club, coaching sessions are led by an A licence coach, full player kit is provided and all members are offered free access to Ebbsfleet United men’s home games.”

If you are interested and would like to find out more please Contact Tina - Fleet women’s and girl’s coordinator ladies@eufc.co.uk. or by calling her on 07732 148 011.

All ladies team details are also in our section on the club website www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk

JAMIE MAXTED has signed a contract with Ryman Premier League side Ramsgate, who welcome Redbridge to Southwood Stadium tomorrow.

The 18-year-old left-sided player, who moved from Dover Athletic’s reserves to Canterbury City last season, impressed Rams boss Jim Ward when playing against the Rams for Canterbury City in a pre-season friendly.

Three days later, however, Maxted played and scored for the Rams during the 4-1 home win over Tunbridge Wells.

MARC SEAGER, who takes his Whitstable Town side to Canvey Island tomorrow, has defended his decision to concentrate on playing higher league opposition in the run-up to the start of their second ever Ryman League Division One South campaign in just eight days time.

Whitstable were defeated 4-3 by a Maidstone United side that are preparing for their second Ryman Premier League campaign.

“Yes the players need to get that winning mentality, but they also need to lift themselves when they lose,” Seager told www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk.

Seager’s side have played Margate, Dartford and Maidstone United in less than ten days, and after their trip to Essex tomorrow, welcome former Kent League rivals Herne Bay to contest the Bruce Smith Shield on Tuesday night, before hosting Dover Athletic to Belmont Road next weekend.

Dover Athletic are definite favourites to clinch the Ryman Premier League title this season, especially after beating Gillingham 1-0 in midweek.

HERNE BAY reserve team manager Anthony Deer has revealed he is on the search for a physio, after posting on the club’s fans’ forum at www.hernebayfc.net.

He said: “We are always looking for support in helping on match days. We have Mickey West helping out with the physic’s bag, but the reserves could do with a physio.”

TUNBRIDGE WELLS, who welcome neighbouring Tonbridge Angels to Culverden Stadium tomorrow to contest the George Piper Courier Cup, are pleased with their preparations to their Kent League campaign, which kicks off with a home game with VCD Athletic in just eight days time.

Limited opportunities remain for football managers to tinker with their squads before the big kick-off arrives.

Wells boss Mike Robins, speaking to www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk, spoke about a couple of heavy defeats that his side have suffered recently.

While managers often say that results don’t matter in pre-season matches, what are the merits of playing opponents who, on paper, look to have scored at will past your defence? “Believe it or not, I have had this very same discussion with Mrs. Robbins,” he replied.

“My answer to her was that the two heavy defeats came against sides that frankly were a different gravy.

“At my level of the game there are countless differences from sides even one or two divisions up. I occasionally have players who drop out at the last minute; go away on holiday during pre-season; who have to work through pre-season night matches so that they are available for the season.

“These may all look like excuses, but I genuinely have not been able so far to put out any more than eight of the team that finished against Hythe Town during the penultimate game last year.

“All but one of the team that day are still here, but the above reasons have contributed to a lack of continuity during the pre-season friendlies.”

Robbins maintains that confidence is still high in the Culverden camp though, despite results.

He said: “The squad has every right to feel confident. Will Ramsgate or Folkestone beat any of their opposition by three clear goals this coming season? If they do, then we are in good company.

“Let’s look more at the Invicta result, as it is more recent. We also know that Invicta were as strong as they could be on the night.

“My players are well aware that a couple of silly mistakes cost them dearly. Those mistakes occurred at both ends of the pitch - defence and attack. I wouldn’t expect the first three goals scored against us by Invicta, to be replicated by any Kent League strikers. All three were quality efforts and would have beaten any team/goalkeeper.”

But how should supporters reconcile the results with heightened expectations for an improved season ahead?

“Well as a manager, I saw my team score against three very good sides. All three – Crowborough, Ramsgate and Folkestone - were deliberately arranged to test character.

“I can’t find out how far a player has progressed against a Kent County League side - with all due respect, I would expect to beat all of them at full strength,” Robbins explained.

“You could look at the results alone, and you would ultimately be highlighting the goals conceded against very good opposition - but bear in mind all three would win the current Kent Premier League (two of them at a canter).

“What is the expectation of the supporters for the coming season, though? I don’t have any expectations. I have targets. My target is to improve on both last year’s points tally, and last year’s position. Yes, if we can get the same results as we earned in April, then we will give ourselves every opportunity to finish in the top third.

“The players, in preparation for meeting these targets, are training every week on 3g, and they will be drilled emphatically with set pieces.

“I would be disappointed if every player did not improve over the course of the coming season.”

And with Saturday’s game with Tonbridge Angels approaching, Robbins believes a result at Culverden would be important.

“We obviously want to win this one - it may be a pre-season game, but there’s silverware that I’d like this club to win back. Winning breeds winning.”

Following the Tonbridge visit, Westfield come to Culverden for one final friendly match on Tuesday evening, and two more training sessions will be held before VCD Athletic come to town for the season’s curtain raiser.

“The start to the season is tough with VCD, Lordswood (Martin Telford et al) and the Sevenoaks Town derby all in the first month,” said Robbins.

“It’s particularly tough, because we only dropped two points at home to those teams last year and people will expect big things to open with this year."

When pressed whether he was happy with the squad and if his tinkering was complete, Robbins added: "I am always trying to better something within the squad. Whether it is the discipline, the standard of training or the players in the positions or even formation adaptability.

“I have added a few lads to the fringes of the squad to make competition for places that much better. I do not want a team that picks its self as players get complacent.

“For that reason I cannot rule out the signing of one or two other players before we kick off on Saturday next week.

“It seems every team in the division has improved this year. There are half a dozen new managers who are preparing for their first full seasons in charge, and they are learning fast that pre-season is not the same as the season.

“Some teams won all their pre-season games last year and won nothing come the end of the year. Others lost games but won trophies. We will be ready for whatever is thrown at us come August 9.”

AFC WIMBLEDON boss Terry Brown hopes history doesn’t repeat itself when the newly promoted Blue Square South club visit Tonbridge Angels tomorrow.

“I expect that we will race into a two goal lead and then surrender it meekly in the second half,” Brown told www.afcwimbledon.co.uk.