West Wickham relish Beckenham examination

WEST WICKHAM manager Alan Cotton is relishing the club’s biggest game of the season on Wednesday night - their Kent Senior Trophy showdown at neighbouring Beckenham Town, writes Stephen McCartney.

Cotton, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk today, says all of his players are looking forward to the second round clash at Eden Park Avenue, residing in West Wickham, Orpington and Beckenham.

But Cotton also revealed he has some selection issues ahead of their big game.

“We are having a very bad run of injuries with five of last years squad still unavailable, but on the positive side I am expecting three of them to start training in mid-January,” he said.

“On Wednesday I will be able to name five subs whereas on Saturday I was down to three so the postponement has not really inconvenienced us.

“We will, hopefully, play to our full potential and should give a good account of ourselves.”

Cotton, whose amateur side have a 100% record in the Southern Amateur League, lock horns with a Beckenham Town side that are underperforming in the bottom four in the Bulmers Cider Kent League table, having played more games than everybody else.

“Unfortunately I haven’t seen Beckenham play as I don’t have a chance with our busy league and cup programme, but I know that they are a good side,” Cotton warns.

“Anything can happen on the night and I hope that we can adjust to playing under floodlights as we don’t have them in our league or cup competitions.

“We always do well in cup competitions but the Kent Senior Trophy is a difficult one for us this season, as we are way below our normal strength.

“However, if we can overcome Beckenham we will have a chance to clear up some of our injuries and we will be much stronger in the New Year.”

Cotton said he is without the likes of Ashley Everett, Ben David, Jon Waite, James Williams and Rob Guppy at present, whilst Lloyd Willis hasn’t trained this year.

Cotton spoke about the problems that he faces in the Southern Amateur League when it comes to picking his side.

He said: “We will have boys back from University soon so this will help but only in late December and early January.

“I hope to persuade some of them to come back on a weekly basis, but they have to play for their University side and deal with exams so I am not too hopeful.”

But he has high hopes for the remainder of the season, adding: ““We are unbeaten in the league this season, having played six and won six, but every game has been a close encounter.

“The Southern Amateur League Senior Division is very strong and there is not much between all of the clubs.

“I believe that we will be in the shake up come April if we can return to somewhere near full strength.”

For Beckenham Town, much-travelled striker Wade Falana and defender Michael Ebanks are expected to return, having shaken off long-term injuries.

Boss Jason Huntley has signed Billy Taylor and Nick Metar from Ryman Premier League side Tooting & Mitcham United.

The winners of this game will travel to either Sevenoaks Town or Corydon - who meet at Greatness Park this Saturday - in the third round.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game

Beckenham Town v West Wickham
Kent Senior Trophy Second Round
Wednesday 17^th December 2008
Kick Off 7:30pm
At Eden Park Avenue, Beckenham, Kent BR3 1JL