We've got the best Kent League strike force, claims Gorman

ERITH & BELVEDERE joint-manager Paul Gorman claims he has the best strike force in the Bulmers Cider Kent League, writes Stephen McCartney.

Strikers George Fenwick, a summer signing from neighbouring Ryman League Division One South side Cray Wanderers, and Aiden Pursglove both scored two-goals each as the Deres defeated Coca-Cola League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge 4-3 last night.

Such performance has, once again, raised expectation levels at Park View Road.

“They had roughly eight first-team squad players,” Gorman told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“They went 2-1 up at half-time but it should have been even second half.

“They came out, hit us on the break straight away, scored, and we thought it would be a 6 or 7-1 defeat - we thought we were in for a hiding!

“But we came back into it, done well, got it back to 3-2 and they couldn’t handle us after that!

“A deservedly good win. According to the Dagenham manager, he said it was the best non-league performance this season. He didn’t understand why we’re so low in the leagues but it shows that we can do it.”

The Doncaster born boss has challenged his side to dish out the same punishment when neighbours Slade Green visit Park View Road for Saturday’s Bulmers Cider Kent League opener.

But Gorman warns Deres fans it will not be easy against Matt Longhurst’s new-look side.

“They’ll be up for it as it’s on our pitch,” said Gorman. “They’ve got a decent young side now, take nothing away from them. Matt’s done well down there to drag in the players, so hopefully it will be a good game and hopefully the best team wins.

“I’ve done my homework on them. They’ve got a lot of Dartford reserves and signed a few good players.

“I’d rather have three points against Slade Green but as I’ve said before, it’s going to be a hard game, they’re no pushovers no more!”

Erith & Belvedere have this week added to their squad, signing centre half Michael Adcock (Whitstable Town) and former Dover Athletic and Ashford Town central midfielder, Kevin Locke.

“Michael was recommended to us by (Whitstable Town manager) Marc Seager as he’s signed a lot of players,” revealed Gorman.

“Michael’s been injured and been touring around the world and Marc’s said he needs to get fit and he’s recommended him to us, which I appreciate and hopefully he’ll do a job for us.

“He played last night and did a really good job for us along with Paul Gross at the back, considering they were marking League Two players.

“Kevin Locke’s a very good signing, good to have on board. He’s a laugh, friends of Joby Thorogood (formerly of Ashford Town, Cray Wanderers and Tunbridge Wells), who we’ve signed and George Fenwick, all together five good signings so far.

“We’ve also signed (defender) John Samuels and (midfielder) Hussain Budek from Greenwich Borough as squad members and we’ve kept quite a few players from last year and looking forward to the season really.”

However, Gorman has very high hopes for George Fenwick, son of former England defender, and Ashford Town manager, Terry.

“I’ve been recommended by a few people to take him on board,” said Gorman. “He’s a big, tall, goalscorer, a good lad to have in the changing rooms and the players have been over the moon with him as they like the way he plays.

“If he keeps on going he will be the top scorer, him, Sam Prett and Aiden Pursglove.”

Gorman lost out on another Cray Wanderers striker, Lewis Wood, who opted for a move to Erith Town, but Dockers’ manager Mark Tompkins quit the club this afternoon.

And Gorman said: “I don’t need any more strikers because I think I’ve got the best three strikers in the league, but that’s my opinion.”

And he hopes that his side don’t self-destruct as they did last season, having to settle for a disappointing seventh place finish.

“What it was, we had a lot of injuries last time, losing key players at the wrong time,” explained Gorman.

“We had to play kids in at the deep end. We self-destruct but we should have never had done that.”

Visit Erith & Belvedere’s website:  www.erithandbelvederefc.co.uk

Visit Slade Green’s website: www.clubwebsite.co.uk/sladegreenfc

Erith & Belvedere v Slade Green
Bulmers Cider Kent League
Saturday 9^th August 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY