Soccer Shorts: If we can stay up, then we will be doing really well, says Dover's Barry Cogan

BECKENHAM TOWN secretary Peter Palmer is delighted that their pre-season friendly against their Premier League neighbours Crystal Palace attracted a record crowd to Eden Park Avenue.

The Southern Counties East Football League club confirmed the attendance last Friday was 2,135.  The Eagles came away with a 4-1 victory, with Nathan Paul scoring for the home side.

“Don’t forget how much Palace and Becks work with each other that boosted the crowd,” said Mr Palmer.

“It was a good game though. When we changed the team around in the second half they took control. Before that we were the better side.”

BROMLEY welcome League One side Swindon Town to Hayes Lane on Saturday, looking to avenge their 7-0 defeat in The FA Cup First Round back in 1976.

Swindon goalkeeper Wes Foderingham, 23, last featured for Bromley on loan at the start of the 2010-11 season, where he conceded three goals as the Ravens went on to win their first five games in Conference South that campaign.

Saturday’s game will be the first of the club’s “Kids Go Free” initiative, where admission on the day will be free for all under 16s.  Adults pay £10, seniors £5.

CONEY HALL have unveiled the signing of former Cray Valley and Sutton Athletic winger Chris McGinty.

CRAY WANDERERS’ community scheme is running a summer sports camp for young people aged between 5 and 15.

Covering a range of multi-sports and activities, the emphasis behind the camp is to create a fun environment where young people can learn new skills and make new friends.  It is open to boys and girls.

Tyrone Sterling, the operations director for the community scheme at the Ryman League Division One North club said: “The scheme has been running successfully for five years, so it seemed now was the right time to host our first summer holiday camp.

“Included are activities such as arts and craft, dance, drama and cooking.  Sports available range from football, tennis, hockey and cricket to basketball, athletics and dodge ball.

“We’re holding a free taster day on Friday 25 July where young people can try out some of the activities on offer.”

The camp will operate from Monday to Friday across three venues in Mottingham, Sidcup and Orpington. Charges range from £8 for a half-day to £35.99 for a full week.

Full details on the camp and how to book can be found on the Community Scheme website http://craywandscs.com/.   

Alternatively you can email bookings@craycommunityhub.com or telephone 01689 637125.

Meanwhile, Cray Wanderers welcome their Premier League neighbours Crystal Palace to Hayes Lane, Bromley on Tuesday night. Kick-off is at 7:45pm.

Eagles’ season ticket holders can watch the match for FREE.

DOVER ATHLETIC midfielder Barry Cogan has put pen to paper on a new contract last week.

The former Millwall midfielder, 29, told www.doverathletic.com: 'It was always going to happen. There was no big rush, I was just waiting for the time to get it sorted out.

“You want to play as high as you can really. It is another challenge and it is nice to travel to some big clubs and nice grounds and at this stage of my life, I may not get to play at that level again.

“You don't want to settle for one of the lower leagues, if you want to be a good player then you have to back yourself to play at the highest possible level you can and see how it goes.”

Cogan says survival in the Conference Premier will represent a successful first season for the club.

“If we can stay up, then we will be doing really well,” he said.

“We will push on and try and finish as high up the table as we can, but we have to be realistic.  It is a hard, tough league and there is a lot of travelling involved. We have a lot of young players who have not played at this level before and it will take them time to adjust. But I think we will be fine.”

Regardless of the season outcome, the Irishman is still looking forward to the season ahead.

“It will be good to see some big clubs coming down here. The likes of Torquay and Bristol Rovers will be good for the fans to see and it will be better football as you find going up the leagues. We will have to adjust to that and play better football if we want to compete.”

Saturday's 1-0 win over Ryman Premier League title favourites Margate made it four wins on the spin in pre- season.  However, Cogan does not want anyone to get carried away at this stage.

He said: “It's pre-season, so we don't read too much into results.  It is just about getting your fitness and sharpness back and getting used to the new players that have joined. Every game has been getting better and today was the best that we had played. We have some tough games like as Gillingham and Colchester to come which will be a good test.”

EBBSFLEET UNITED have agreed a stadium naming rights agreement with their partners PHB Construction.

General manager Dave Archer told www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk: “Mark Humphreys of PHB has been a great help to me since my arrival at Ebbsfleet United which is why I am even more pleased to be able to continue our commercial partnership with PHB Construction.

“Stadium naming rights are happening throughout league and non-league football and this is the next logical step in our moves to transform the club and its home, while still keeping the historic Stonebridge Road name in the title.”

ERITH & BELVEDERE have unveiled the signings of former Peterborough United midfielder Romone McCrae, 23, and Matt Arber, who played Kent County League Premier football for Erith 147 Sports last season.   

FOLKESTONE INVICTA have strengthened their board by the addition of Adrian Williams and Shaun Beattie of M3 Solutions Ltd, as full directors of the club.

M3 Solutions Ltd, who are based in Folkestone, were introduced to the Ryman League Division One South club last season by director of sales and marketing Cliff Egan.

Jim Pellatt, the club’s chief executive, told www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk: “Since then the company have become good friends of Folkestone Invicta, helping us a great deal in recent times, as well as becoming our shirt sponsor.

“Adrian and Shaun bring not only a great deal of business experience to the board, but also their extensive contacts.

“Neil Pilcher, who is well known to everyone at the club for his tireless work over many years as club football secretary, is to become joint company secretary alongside myself, with a view to taking over that role completely in the longer term.

“Equally important is that our supporters who have stuck with us and helped so much for so many years remain close to the board and the board to them.

“We have therefore asked Clive Arnold, as supporters’ club chairman, to attend board meetings, and represent supporters’ views, thus ensuring that supporters’ voices are heard, and that our supporters are kept informed.”

HYTHE TOWN manager Tim Dixon has unveiled the signing of former Gillingham,  Dover Athletic and Ramsgate central midfielder Dave Pilcher.

Former Ramsgate boss Dixon told www.hythetownfc.co.uk: “Dave started his career in the youth set-up at Gillingham before joining his home-town club Dover Athletic.

“He attended their Academy at the Abbey School (in Faversham), whilst gaining valuable senior experience with Ramsgate in the Ryman League and scoring a few goals from midfield in the process.

“He is excellent at set-pieces and a very good passer of the ball. The management team rate him very highly and now it’s down to him to establish himself at Hythe Town.

“I believe he has every attribute needed to go further in the game.”

KENT FOOTBALL UNITED will be hoping to launch the opening of its new ground by hosting a pre-season trophy competition across all of their age groups.

A club statement said: “This summer has been huge for Kent Football United with us moving into our new home at the Glentworth Sports Club in Dartford.

“To celebrate this we are hoping to host our inaugural pre-season trophy competition across all of our youth age groups.

“It will be invitational and run on a four team round robin format with a final. It will be held over two Sunday’s, August 24th and August 31st, allowing teams to play the full format of either 11, 9, 7 or 5 a-side before the new season kicks off in September.”

MARGATE chairman Bob Laslett would like to again thank all the fans that travelled to Crabble on Saturday afternoon as Margate fell to a 1-0 defeat to Conference Premier side Dover Athletic.

Mr Laslett was delighted to see almost 100 Margate fans in attendance and told www.margate-fc.co.uk: "It was great to see so many Blues fans at The Crabble. I know Terry (Brown) and the players certainly appreciate it and as a club we certainly do".

Mr Laslett was also keen to stress the importance of the support this season from fans home and away.

"The fans support is crucial. We are trying to achieve something special here at Margate and the fans support is absolutely vital to that.

"After seeing the support we have received in our three games so far I have no doubt we will be well supported both home and away all season".

Big-spending Margate, meanwhile, have been made favourites with the bookmakers to claim the Ryman Premier League title at the end of the season.

RUSTHALL manager Gary Sharman says his side will give their opponents a battle this season – but will also play some attacking football in the Kent Invicta League.

The Rustics thrashed Tonbridge Angels’ Academy side 7-2 at the weekend and will be playing their reserve side at Jockey Farm on Tuesday evening.

“We will be treating this game in the same manner, with players getting minutes on the pitch and for us to look at some different players positions for the coming season,” Sharman told the club’s website.

“We have a very strong side and would hope to attract more support this season.

“We can play some very good football and each game this season will be starting in a positive way. 

“Opposition teams need to know that when playing the Rustics they will have a game on their hands.

“We will not hand games to opposition this season without a battle.  Everyone knows what is required and we want every player to enjoy this coming season’s football.”

SITTINGBOURNE have cancelled their game at Kent Invicta League title winners Hollands & Blair on Tuesday evening.

A club statement said: “The friendly against Hollands & Blair has had to be cancelled as the early kick-off (7:00pm) meant that the London based players could not make the game in time.”

Matt Wyatt’s side have won their last three games and Blair will now welcome Fisher to their Star Meadow ground in Gillingham instead.

TONBRIDGE ANGELS manager Steve McKimm has unveiled the signings of Flavio Tavares, Nathan Campbell and Jack Parter.

McKimm told the club’s website: “Flavio who played for the reserves last season is an exciting prospect who mainly operates on the flanks and who is fast and can use both feet. 

“Nathan is a strong midfielder who can also play in defence and is comfortable with the ball at his feet. 

“Jack, who was at Gillingham, is a versatile player who can operate anywhere on the pitch and at 20 is willing to learn his trade at Tonbridge.    

“All three players have impressed the management team during pre-season and will continue to feature in the friendlies in the build up to the start of the season on 9th August.”