Kentish Football 
Soccer Shorts: KCFA publish County Cup Draws
Thursday 31st July 2008
SOCCER SHORTS is here a day earlier than normal and this includes the early rounds of both the Kent Senior Cup and Kent Senior Trophy as well as news snippets from around the Garden of England.
The only full-time club in the competition won last season’s competition following a 4-0 win over Cray Wanderers at Hayes Lane last weekend.
But The Fleet come across Ryman Premier League title favourites Dover Athletic in the first round of this season’s competition at Stonebridge Road.
Thamesmead Town, who clinched the Kent Senior Trophy and Kent League title last season welcome Ashford Town.
The Kent Senior Cup First Round Draw:
Ebbsfleet United v Dover Athletic
Chatham Town v Folkestone Invicta
Cray Wanderers v Ramsgate
Whitstable Town v Tonbridge Angels
Thamesmead Town v Ashford Town
Welling United v Sittingbourne
Maidstone United v Margate
Bromley v Dartford
(Matches to be played by 30th November 2008)
The Kent Senior Trophy, which was won by Thamesmead Town last season, has also been drawn.
The Kent Senior Trophy First Round Draw:
VCD Athletic v Bearsted
Holmesdale v Hythe Town
Lordswood v Milton & Fulston United
West Wickham v Norton Sports
Greenwich Borough v Sevenoaks Town
(Matches to be played by 11th October 2008)
The Kent Senior Trophy Second Round Draw:
Faversham Town v Orpington
Erith & Belvedere v Lordswood or Milton & Fulston United
Beckenham Town v West Wickham or Norton Sports
Slade Green v Tunbridge Wells
Erith Town v Herne Bay
VCD Athletic or Bearsted v Crockenhill
Deal Town v Holmesdale
Greenwich Borough or Sevenoaks Town v Croydon
(Matches to be played by 13th December 2008)
GOALKEEPER Josh Willis faces a race against time to be fit in time of Ashford Town’s Ryman League Division One South opener against Walton Casuals on 16th August.
“The cut albeit severe is not as bad as first thought and he will be back in a few weeks,” said co-owner Don Crosbie, when speaking to the fans’ forum at www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk.
“Jamie Reilly came off as a precaution as he had a minor groin strain and knowing we may have lost our second keeper we did not want to jeopardise the team for the start of the season.”
Ellis Green scored the only goal of the game for Welling United, scoring past Wings’ goalkeeper Jamie Turner, who had replaced the injured Wallis for Tuesday night’s match.
EBBSFLEET UNITED boss Liam Daish has hinted that the side that starts against Maidstone United could be the ones that kick-off their Blue Square Premier campaign at home to Mansfield Town a week later.
The Fleet impressed during their 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Coca-Cola League One side Millwall, who fielded seven players with first-team experience on Wednesday night.
Without the services of Paul McCarthy, who was suffering with back and knee problem, Daish has been impressed with his trialists.
“I don’t think they’ll be too much tinkering about,” Daish told www.kentishfootball.co.uk as he looks ahead to Saturday's visit of the Stones.
“It’s our last game before the main kick-off so we want to get a pretty much balanced side.
“Don’t read too much into it, but it will be the lads who I think will be involved on the Saturday will be involved in that (Mansfield) game.”
HERNE BAY have unveiled the signing of central defender Will Graham, who, likes the club’s record transfer signing Stuart King, arrives from Ryman Premier League side Ramsgate.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA boss Neil Cugley admits his side are starting to gel together well, following wins over Gillingham (2-1) and Tunbridge Wells (4-1) this week, writes Tom Marchant.
"It takes time for things to all settle down and I think now they are settling down nicely,” Cugley told www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk.
“I'm pleased with the application of the players, especially the new ones who have settled in quickly and they've all got good attitudes and have trained well.
"I think we've improved no end from our first friendly at Dover and that's the idea of friendlies to get the shape and kick on from there. We said we want to get better and better as the friendlies went on and I think that's what happening."
Last Saturday saw James Dryden net his first two goals on his return to the club on a two year deal from Dover Athletic; the first by capitalising on a defensive mix up and the second chipping visiting goalkeeper Chris Kiely, both coming in the first half.
"He has been looking sharp in training as well and I've been really pleased with him. I think he's glad to be back and that's showing in his game", said Cugley.
Craig Wilkins has been partnering Dryden in attack since the Faversham friendly last Tuesday and he scored his first goals for the club.
His first came after 11 minutes with an emphatic finish past Chris Arnold in the Tunbridge Wells goal. The second was a particularly impressive long range strike from the right hand side which went in off the post after picking up a pass from Dryden.
Cugley said: "The two from Wilkins I thought were superb and they show why he is a particularly good asset for the club. He gives us a bit of strength up there, he can hold the ball up well and obviously he can score goals and I'm very pleased with him.
"On Saturday he has headed down for one of the goals and last night he has scored with his right and left. He has worked hard on his fitness and he's had his injury problems last year and one of the reasons I took him off last night was to make sure he was ok as you don't want to rush these things".
Josh Burchell grabbed the fourth goal curling a fine effort into the bottom right of Arnold's goal after impressive running by trialist Byron Walker down the right.
And Cugley said: "Him (Burchell) and Dicko have done well and are ones we're hoping will improve as the season goes on like what Liam Friend did and hopefully this time next year they will be regulars. That's why we put them both on contract as we believe in them and that they can only get better.
"They've both got great attitudes and that will to do well. Josh took his goal last night ever so well; he's naturally left footed and to curl it in with his right foot and he's got up there which you want from your wing backs and I'm very pleased with him."
Folkestone were without Jimmy Jackson and James Corbett through injury on Tuesday night along with Micheal Everitt (holiday) and the absence of the trio left the Invicta boss slightly short on numbers. The manager is talking to two players this week.
He explained: "I'd like to get two more in and the two I want will really make us a very good side. It's early doors with them at the moment but things are going alright.
“I've been able to have a look now to see how we've done in the friendlies and to see what I think we needed and the two players I'm after will definitely bring us something we haven't got at the moment.
"We're also still looking at Bryon Walker who I think done well and he done a lot of things I liked and he's certainly got something, electric pace in particular and it's another option.
“I think a lot of people within the club like him but it's still early and I want to see him against Hastings and obviously we've got a budget and it's how best to use it. He's certainly in the frame at the moment though."
Jackson has had treatment on an injury sustained against Dover and Corbett looks set to take his place in the squad for trip to Hastings United this weekend after suffering a slight achilles tendon problem.
Nick Humphrey was withdrawn at half time in midweek as a precaution after he cut his head. Impressive youngster Kieron Bryne didn't play against Tunbridge Wells due to a knee injury but should be available for the friendly this weekend whilst Liam Dickson (back) may be a doubt.
Invicta will be keen to make amends at the Pilot Field this weekend after the 6-1 defeat last season. James Everitt grabbed a late consolation goal for the visitors after a bizarre twenty minute second half spell saw Folkestone concede four goals.
"I think Hastings are the sort of sides that we should be able to compete against with the team I've got now as long as we've got most of the players back and I'm looking to go down there and play well,” said Cugley.
“The place has got bad memories from last year and so I want to put that out of my mind as well. It's important we go there and show people we've improved as a team, that we've got more about us and hopefully we can do that Saturday."
Player-coach Scott Lindsey is one other who is away, a situation Cugley and the Board were fully aware of when he returned to the Buzzlines Stadium this summer.
Cugley explained: "When I spoke to him about coming to the cub he had already booked a longish holiday and it wasn't a problem and he's a bit disappointed he booked it now because when it was booked he wasn't actually involved in football.
“He's done a lot of hard work already it's up to me to take it on from there but straight away there's a good spirit within the club.
"There seems to be a real buzz about the place at the moment and it's up to us to kick on, play some good football and get the results and show people that we mean business again.
"I speak to him on the phone and he's currently involved with bringing one of the players to the club so although he's not here at the moment, he's still a part of the club and what's going on. By the time he comes back I'm hoping he will be a happy man and we're doing well."
Cugley was also able to confirm today that Lee Gledhill will be captain this season. Tough tackling Gledhill signed for the club in June and has impressed in the right wing back role in what will be an almost completely different back line from the one which started last season at Cheriton Road.
"He is ideal and he's been captain at Met Police and captain at Gravesend. He's a great talker on the pitch and a great lad to have in the changing room,” added Cugley.
The female presence on the bench on Tuesday night was a trainee physio, currently with the Club on work experience.
Cugley revealed: “She's helping out and it's good to have a nice face on the bench rather than Willo! But she's come to get experience and she's learning quite a lot at the moment.
“She's been good helping us and she's been doing a lot of massages and work in the treatment room. She'll learn a lot off Dave Williams so it should hopefully be good for her too."
JOHN RONALDSON, recently appointed as Rusthall’s new manager, explained why his side pulled out of their pre-season trip to Hythe Town.
Rusthall were criticised by Hythe’s secretary Martin Giles on Monday evening for pulling out of their friendly at Reachfields Stadium at very short notice.
But Ronaldson, who replaced Hugo Langton at Jockey Farm, explained to www.kentishfootball.co.uk that the Vandanel Kent County League contacted their Kent League hosts of their intentions to pull out weeks earlier.
“I would like to state that due notice was given by Rusthall Football Club officials to the Hythe Town secretary,” said Ronaldson.
“Initially notice was given to the Hythe secretary the day after Hugo Langton’s resignation by phone, albeit by leaving a message on his phone as there was no answer.
“Secondly, as a result of not receiving a return call, as a matter of courtesy, as well as seeing the fixture still posted on their website, a text message was sent to re-confirm the cancellation Monday morning.
“Whilst we would have preferred not to cancel the fixture, circumstances regarding the change of management and playing personnel meant there was no other plausible alternative.
“Whilst we regret withdrawing from this fixture, I seem to remember that Rusthall were put in a similar position last year by this team.”
CHATHAM TOWN, who are preparing for life in Ryman League Division One North this season, have appealed for help tidying up their ground at Maidstone Road.
From 9:30am on the next two Sunday’s (3rd and 10th August), the club plan to tidy the ground in readiness for the new season.
“If you can spare an hour or two it could make all the difference and your help would be very much appreciated,” said a club statement on www.chathamtownfc.net.
LINE-UP: Chatham Town are ready for their Ryman League Division One North campaign, which kicks-off with a home game against Ilford on 16th August.
Photograph courtesy of www.chathamtownfc.net
HYTHE TOWN are pleased to announce the re-signing of goalscoring midfielder Dave Cook from Folkestone Invicta.
Cook returned to the starting line up against New Romney on Tuesday - having only trained during pre-season with their Ryman League Division One South neighbours, Folkestone Invicta.
The former Bromley Green player made the perfect start to his second spell at Reachfields Stadium by scoring the equaliser midway through the first half, after New Romney took a shock early lead.
It proved to be an entertaining encounter against New Romney, who came in at the last minute after Rusthall’s withdrawal.
Jason Brazier impressed up front and struck the woodwork in each half. Also delivering an influential performance was young midfielder Joe Hitchings, who has impressed during pre-season.
Another new face, Gary Mickelborough scored his third goal in four appearances and has given manager Paul Fisk a useful option with his pace up front.
Hitchins, formerly of Ashford Town and Tunbridge Wells, was the other goalscorer on Tuesday before Dale Skelton’s late penalty was saved.
MARK JENNER has this week confirmed that he has resigned as chairman of Ashford Town.
Mr Jenner admitted he has taken a back-seat at the Ryman League Division One South club after Don Crosbie and Tony Betteridge took over at The Homelands.
“With great regret, I resigned as chairman and as a director of the club on 18 July,” Mr Jenner told www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk.
“Having been responsible for running the club from 2001 until last year, I now find that being a passenger is not the same as driving the engine and so it is time to move on.
“Best this is done before the new season starts so as not to disrupt proceedings once the new campaign starts.
“I would just like to thank all those who helped me during the seven years and stood by the club in the difficult times.
“There were many occasions when the club might have ceased to exist but it is still there and with a promising future.”
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