We now want to push on to get to the final, says Corinthian boss Tony Sitford

Sunday 27th February 2011

CORINTHIAN manager Tony Sitford says it will be “a fantastic achievement” if he leads the club to the Kent League Cup Final for the very first time in their history, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Fawkham based outfit have disposed of Deal Town and Beckenham Town over two-legs to reach the semi-finals, but they must overcome holders Herne Bay if they are to play Hythe Town or VCD Athletic in the Final.

Herne Bay have reached four finals (with a 50% success record), and VCD Athletic were runners-up to Deal Town in 1998-99, before bouncing back to defeat Faversham Town 4-0 in the final twelve months later.

If rank outsiders Corinthian are to lift the silverware it will be one fine achievement by Sitford and his young guns in only their second season back in the Kent League.

Looking ahead to Tuesday night’s first-leg at Winch’s Field, Sitford said: “Oh, crickey! As you just said, it’s a big game. They’re going very well, they’re in contention of winning the league. They’re having a very good season so we know what we’re up against - a very, very hard game.

“We’ve got to play well twice just to get a result. If we go down and beat them at Herne Bay that’s the best result of the season - that’s how big a task it is.

“It’s a huge task. I don’t know their record at home but I haven’t seen them lose a game at home that I can remember. It’s a huge task but we’re looking forward to it. We’ll do our best and that’s all we can do.”

But underdogs can always spring a surprise result.

Sitford said: “That could be us and that would be lovely. If we got into the final that would be a fantastic achievement, in what, the year and a half of being in the Kent League, that would be brilliant!

“We’re very, very pleased to have got to the semi-final and we now want to push on to get to the final.

“We know what we’re up against. It’s a semi-final, let’s go and enjoy it, that’s all you can do. You can’t ask players other than to give their best. If they give their best and work together, as you say there are Cup shocks. It would be a Cup shock if we beat them but we’re not going to say we’re going to get beat that’s for sure!

“We will do our best but unfortunately we’re coming up against one of the form teams and one of the two or three best teams in the league.”

Corinthian go into the game sitting in tenth place in the Kent League table, with a record of seven wins, three draws and eight defeats, whilst Herne Bay are in third place, only three points behind leaders Erith Town, but with three games in hand.

“As I told you at the beginning of the season, if we can finish halfway up the table that will be a great improvement from last year,” said the Corinthian boss.

“We came in and we said it will take two or three years before we can get a team capable of finishing in the top half, top six or seven.

“Now, if we can keep on improving, the team’s improving, the football’s improving, that’s all we can ask. I feel we’re competitive in the league now. We go to games now hoping, not hoping, we’re expecting to get a result. Last year we went into the games thinking ‘maybe’, so confidence and belief has greatly improved.”

Herne Bay boss Simon Halsey, meanwhile, are fighting on two front’s - clinching the Kent League title and promotion into the Ryman League and retaining the Kent League Cup, courtesy of now departed Stuart King’s hat-trick which sealed a 3-2 win over Sevenoaks Town after extra time in last year’s final.

Halsey has told his side to take advantage of being at home first, so they can travel to Gay Dawn Farm on 15 March with one foot firmly in the final.

“I prefer to have the home tie first, some people don’t, but I do so we have to make sure we show them maximum respect,” said Halsey.

“We know they’re a young side. I’ve known their assistant manager, Matt Longhurst for many years as he was my goalie in my under 18s when I was at Dartford. Matt’s a good coach, likes to get their players playing football, they’re organised and they pas the ball around.

“If we can get a couple of goals’ lead to take them back there I’d be happy, but it’s far from over. We’re the favourites to reach the final but we have to make sure we’re well organised over the two legs.”

When asked how the Kent League title will be won - or lost - Halsey thinks it will be the side that can adapt to playing midweek games due to the fixture backlog.

Halsey said: “I’ve said all season, even pre-season, it’s an open league. I think it’s anybody’s league out of that top bundle now.

“We all know what midweek fixtures are like, some players don’t get days off work, some players can’t get there midweek. Team’s may have to shuffle their pack and results may not go their way.

“I think the weather’s has made it even more open than I first thought.”

When asked whether this year - with Erith Town, Hythe Town, Herne Bay and VCD Athletic all within five points of each other at the top - is much better than last year’s title race, Halsey replied, “I think, even with Faversham running away with it, last year and this year the Kent League has got back to some sort of strength where it should be. It had a few years that were a little bit lame with a few sides in it that we’re just in it.”

Visit Herne Bay’s website: www.hernebayfc.net

Herne Bay v Corinthian

Safety Net Associates Kent League Cup Semi-Final First Leg

Tuesday 1st March 2011

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Winch’s Field, Stanley Gardens, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 5SJ