Soccer Shorts: Hythe search for young keeper to gain experience under Hyde

www.kentishfootball.co.uk brings you news from Maidstone United, Ebbsfleet United, Folkestone Invicta, Ashford Town and Hythe Town.

MAIDSTONE UNITED look set to bring in a further loan signing tomorrow ahead of their home game against Ramsgate.

Striker Jacob Erskine, 19, is expected to arrive from League Two outfit Dagenham & Redbridge, subject to the relevant paperwork being completed on the eve of the game.

“We’ve needed to freshen things up at the ground and Jacob comes to us highly recommended,” said joint-manager Alan Walker, speaking to www.maidstoneunited.co.uk.

"I’ve seen him play a couple of times and he is a big strong lad who Dagenham have recently put on a professional contract.

“He comes to us in a similar situation to Luis Cumbers as he seeks to get experience in men’s football.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk Will be covering the “battle of the Stones” next Tuesday, 5^th February - Wealdstone v Maidstone United.

EBBSFLEET UNITED boss Liam Daish has today captured the signature of Crawley Town full-back Ronnie Bull, who can play on the left and right and also in midfield.

Bull started his career with Fulham, before moving across London to Millwall. While at the New Den, he was in the same youth side as Tim Cahill and Lucas Neill. He then broke into the first team, making 50 appearances for the Lions.

After two loans spells with Yeovil Town and Brentford, Bull moved onto Grimsby Town for one season. After 27 appearances and two goals for The Mariners, he left England to play for the New Zealand Knights in the newly-formed Hyundai A-league.

Bull moved back to England in November 2005 and joined Rushden and Diamonds' fight for survival in League two. He then joined Grays Athletic before signing for Crawley.

The 27-year-old joined Crawley in January 2007, scoring on his debut in the victory over Aldershot Town. Ronnie made 44 appearances for Crawley in total, scoring twice.

Bull joins Ebbsfleet United on a free transfer, until the end of this season.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA welcome Kent rivals Tonbridge Angels to the Buzzlines Stadium this Saturday afternoon for the Ryman Premier League clash.

Only two points separate the sides with Invicta two places above the Angels in 16th although their Kent counterparts have a match in hand.

Nevertheless, both sides will be looking to push themselves up the Premier League table which remains one of the tightest leagues across the country. Remarkably still, only 9 points separates the Seasiders from a play off place.

In the match between the two sides in the first half of the season, Invicta's 2-1 victory in September begun an 11 match unbeaten run. A first half penalty from Kevin Watson had been matched by an 84th minute goal from Scott Kinch as he put the ball home from a Richard Harris (recently released by Tonbridge) cross.

However, Folkestone captain Roland Edge was to be Invicta's saviour two minutes later when his expertly struck free kick was to seal all three points for the Seasiders.

The last three league meetings between the sides at Cheriton Road have seen a win for each side and an entertaining 1-1 draw in March 2004 when both sides were riding high in the old Dr Martens Eastern Division and a last gasp equaliser from Tonbridge denied Invicta from possibly reaching eventually promotion.

Barring the defeat to Carshalton Athletic last week, Folkestone go into the match with a revival of their home form with four victories out of five at Cheriton Road.

The last of those was the compelling 3-2 victory against promotion chasing AFC Wimbledon a fortnight ago this weekend where a brace from Kevin Watson and one from Tom Bryant secured what will go down as a memorable victory for the Seasiders.

After the disappointment of Carshalton, Invicta went to Ashford Town (Middlesex) last weekend where they picked up a point in a 1-1 draw.

The match at Short Lane was indeed the ‘proverbial game of two halves' with Folkestone enjoying much of the first half proceedings with Leigh Bremner getting on the scoresheet following a Bryant cross.

In the second period Invicta were penned back by Ashford after they equalised with a 51st minute free kick from Paul Johnson.

Goalkeeper Charlie Mitten made a speedy recovery from an injury incurred against Carshalton to feature and made a crucial save in the 84th minute denying Warren Harris a match winning goal for Ashford in a one on one.

Mitten, the influential Mark Saunders and solid defender Samuel Kola Okikiolu all returned to the starting line up last weekend and will all take their places in the squad against Tonbridge this Saturday.

New striker Lloyd Blackman who almost scored within the first ten minutes of his debut against Ashford with a bullet header which was pushed onto the crossbar, will be put through his paces in the coming week to increase his fitness levels after having featured sparingly for Blue Square South side Welling United.

Manager Neil Cugley remained pleased with the debut of his new signing who will be given a further run out this week in the friendly on Wednesday night against Whitstable Town at the Buzzlines Stadium.

The only injury doubts Cugley has is over attacking midfielder James Corbett (hamstring) and left wing back Roland Edge (knee). The possible loss of Corbett will perhaps be considered the greater concern (Liam Friend continues to deputise superbly in the absence of Edge) with striker Leigh Bremner suspended for this weekend's match.

Reserve striker John Ovard is rumoured to be one forward Cugley is keen to take a look at in addition to an unnamed trialist who has trained with the squad recently.

A crowd of over 500 is expected at the Buzzlines Stadium, Cheriton Road (3pm).

ASHFORD TOWN boss Steve Lovell takes his men to Ryman League Division One South strugglers Corinthian-Casuals on Saturday and the Welshman is looking to go into the game with the same positive attitude as before.

“It’s another tricky one but as I keep saying they all are in this league,” Lovell told www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk.

“Corinthians got beat 5-0 last weekend so they will be looking to bounce back, but we will go there with a positive attitude and play attacking football so that we can get the result that we want.

“Things are coming together nicely at the moment and hopefully we can go on a decent run over the next five or six games that will see us climbing the tables.”

HYTHE TOWN are searching for a young goalkeeper to join the Kent League club to gain valuable experience with the current first team goalkeeper, Paul Hyde.

Earlier in his career Hyde played for Wycombe Wanderers and Leicester City under the current Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill - and played locally for Dover Athletic in the Conference.

“Initially we need someone to train with the team and be the substitute keeper. It is a very good opportunity to work closely with and learn from the vastly experienced Paul Hyde,” said a club spokesman.

Anyone interested should telephone Hythe’s first team manager Paul Fisk on 07775 956 442. Please mention that you read this on www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

THE WEEK AHEAD - LIVE COVERAGE (subject to internet connections)

SATURDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2008
FA CARLSBERG TROPHY THIRD ROUND
EBBSFLEET UNITED v WEYMOUTH

MONDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2008
RYMAN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE SOUTH
DOVER ATHLETIC v HORSHAM YMCA

TUESDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2008
RYMAN PREMIER LEAGUE
WEALDSTONE v MAIDSTONE UNITED

SATURDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2008
FA CARLSBERG VASE FIFTH ROUND (LAST SIXTEEN)
HUNGERFORD TOWN v GREENWICH BOROUGH

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