We've got to make sure that we keep progressing, says Sutton Athletic boss James Collins

The Hextable-based club finished in third-place in the Kent Invicta League and won the Pain & Glory Sports Kent Invicta League Challenge Trophy with a 3-0 win over fourth-placed Fleet Leisure yesterday.

Former Ebbsfleet United striker Adam Williams drilled home the opening goal after 30 minutes before left-back Tom Carlse scored his first goal of the season seven minutes later before striker Chris McGinty scored his 26^th goal with six minutes left.

Sutton can claim a cup double this week when they look to add the Hospitals Charity Cup to their trophy cabinet.

Collins takes his side to Oxford Road on Tuesday evening to play league rivals Seven Acre & Sidcup.

Both clubs have confirmed that it will be a first team fixture and that they will be taking the competition seriously.

The Final will be against Phoenix Sports’ reserve side at Park View Road Welling on Friday, 16 May (7:30pm).

“We said that we wanted to finish third and win two cups,” said Collins, 31.

“I know it’s the Hospitals Charity Cup. Obviously we wanted to win the League Challenge Trophy but I earmarked the Hospitals Charity Cup because the teams are lower league teams.  Obviously we’ve got Seven Acre & Sidcup now and Fleet were in it and Kent Football United were in it.

“We’re in it so it was a good opportunity to win something. I think to win something gives people that buzz and elation and you know you can do it.

“We’re going to win it. We’ve put out strong teams all the way through and we’ll put a strong team out again on Tuesday night.”

Hollands & Blair claimed the Kent Invicta League title with 76 points from 28 games, followed by Lydd Town (66 points), Sutton Athletic (52) and Fleet Leisure (52).

Sutton Athletic – who won the Kent Intermediate Challenge Shield in 2012 – will be one of the sides competing for the league title next season due to the fact that the club are improving their facilities at Lower Road with ground perimeter fencing, 2 x 100 seated stands, cover for 100 standing spectators, improve car parking and install six floodlight pylons.

“I put pressure on myself to do it,” said Collins.

“When I came to the club I knew that we couldn’t go up but I said I wanted to win the league.

“If you aim high then you can see where to finish.  If you say you want to finish mid-table you end up getting relegated!

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong being disappointed in football because I think it motivates you to aim high, to go even further.

“We weren’t better than Lydd and we weren’t better than Hollands. I believe we were the third best team in the league and I’ll put pressure on myself to win it and the players want to win it and the club want that.

“Whether I’m under pressure you’ll have to ask the chairman that – I don’t know!”

Collins said he has learnt from his previous spell in charge of Kent League side Erith Town.

“After the Erith situation I felt there was a couple of things that I could have done but I wanted to get to the end of the season and if anything that came up and suited me and it’s good for me to go under the radar and take things from what I took from the league above and try and build something myself.

“I agree it will be amazing to win promotion next season. Hopefully the club will back me.”

When asked whether the club does back him, Collins replied: “Sometimes with the subs situation they know that needs to change next season.  I think it’s all well and good winning the cup with no money but I think it’s do-able but to ask people to pay subs and signing on fee it’s slightly trickier but they will back me and they have backed me but we’ll just see.

“We’ve got to make sure we keep progressing. I know when I came we had to get the ground and everything sorted so that’s been done. The team’s progressing on the pitch and it’s been a brilliant season and it will be brilliant to cap it off with another final.”

Meanwhile, Seven Acre & Sidcup’s veterans’ side will play an Arsenal Legends team for charity at Oxford Road on Sunday, 18 May (2pm).

First team manager Lee Hill added: “Tickets are selling well and remain on sale for just £7 for adults and £4 for concessions. I promises to be an excellent day so pop along.”

The club are strongly advising spectators NOT to drive to the ground as parking will be limited.  There will be an overspill car park at Orchard Primary School at £2 per car.

Seven Acre & Sidcup announced on 14 April that they have secured a three-year deal to play at Thamesmead Town’s Bayliss Avenue (grass pitch).

The club originate from Abbey Wood, but moved in to Oxford Road after Cray Wanderers vacated the premises over three years ago after the Ryman League club withdrew their reserve side from the Kent League.

Visit Seven Acre & Sidcup’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/sevenacresidcup

Visit Sutton Athletic’s website: www.clubwebsite.co.uk/suttonathletic

Seven Acre & Sidcup  v  Sutton Athletic
Hospitals Charity Cup Semi-Final
Tuesday 13^th May 2014
Kick Off 6:45pm
at Oxford Road, Sidcup, Kent DA14 6LW