Soccer Shorts: Managers take Stock of their early pre-season friendlies

Tonight, we bring you news on Dartford’s number two goalkeeper, whose available to go out on loan to a Kent League club, and we speak to the managers of Faversham Town, Hythe Town, Lordswood, Slade Green and Rusthall for their views on their pre-season friendlies yesterday.

Dartford manager Tony Burman has said that he’s still listening to offers from Kent League clubs that are interested to take his number two goalkeeper, James Tedder out on loan, writes Stephen McCartney.

With former Folkestone Invicta goalkeeper, Tony Kessell keeping up his impressive form, Tedder has been understudy.

But Tedder's gained valuable experience last season, having been shipped out to Kent League side Slade Green on loan.

And already this season, he’s featured a couple of times for the Darts, who are preparing for life in the Ryman League Division One North, and Kent League side VCD Athletic during warm-up matches this month.

“James wants to stay with us, I want James to stay here,” Burman said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“But at the same time, he needs games. For me he needs a minimum of Kent League standard football.

“There’s been a number of clubs that have made enquiries for him, but I want to look after James and he wants to listen to what I’m going to tell him.

“He might go out to another Kent League club on loan, but the agreement will be he comes back to us, without putting seven-day approaches in.

“There’s been a few Kent League clubs who have asked about him, and he’s played for VCD as they don’t have a keeper.”

Faversham Town boss Paul Copley, preparing for his full season in charge at the helm at Salters Lane, was pleased with his side’s first pre-season outing, despite losing 3-1 to a youthful Rushden & Diamonds side yesterday.

“A solid work-out for our first game, against a very good side,” he told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

He added: “A lot of positives to take from the day.”

Hythe Town were without their new signing, former Dover Athletic goalkeeper, Paul Hyde for their game at Lydd Town.

Hyde was unavailable as he was playing for Asenal’s veterans side at Wembley on Saturday night, and former Ashford Town defender, Barry Crawford was also missing due to “other commitments.”

But the Kent League side were too strong for their Kent County League hosts, as goals from Aiden Pursglove 2, Michael Smissen, Dale Skelton, Joe Neilson and one from trialist, Jason Harding, chalked up a 6-2 win, pleasing manager Paul Fisk.

“It was a good run-out and start for us,” he told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

But Lordswood, who welcome their Ryman Premier League neighbours, Maidstone United to North Dane Way on Tuesday night, crashed to a 2-1 home defeat to Gillingham based side, Hollands & Blair.

Glen Smith scored the Lords goal, and manager Shawn Mitchell, told www.kentishfootball.co.uk: “Was a good work-out, had a look at quite a few new lads (that) I’ve never seen play.

“Lots of positives, got a few on holiday as well.”

Slade Green opened their pre-season programme with a shock 4-2 defeat at unknown Essex side Frenford.

But assistant manager, Wayne Baldacchino, isn’t concerned having lost their first warm-up match of the season.

He explained: “The game itself was a good work-out, with seven trailists involved in a fourteen-man squad.

“There were more positives than negatives from the match, which is good.

“The final fifteen minutes saw a few lads tire, which cost us two goals, but that is what these games are for.

“We will work on things in training on Monday for Tuesday where we will have a different squad playing against Pennant.

Much is expected from Rusthall, as they’re preparing for their British Energy Kent County League premier division campaign, under new boss, Hugo Langton.

Goals from Dave Burren, John Penny, Dave Blundell and Robbie Perkins clinched a 4-2 win over Reigate at Jockey Farm.

“Very pleased with the performance as we took another positive step towards the season kick-off,” said the former Gillingham ladies coach.

“Gary Stock made his debut as we have just signed him. He was at Faversham Town last season and will add more quality.”

Managers, at all levels of the game, are invited to send in their views on their matches, forthcoming fixtures, and team-news etc.

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