We want to be top dogs in Thanet - Ward

“Well, we’ve got such a big squad at the moment,” Ward told www.kentishfootball.co.uk this lunchtime.  “I’m going to give them a chance tonight to see what they’ve got.

“It’s just a shame it’s a Hythe game, because Hythe are going to be very strong tonight.  I make them favourites to win that Kent League.

“We had a hard game on Saturday, we’ve got a hard game (away to Margate) tomorrow.  It’s the way the circumstances have panned out.  It’s very difficult to play three games in four days, so I’m going to mix and match a bit tonight.”

The Scot added: “There will be seven or eight first team players playing.”

Meanwhile, as there are two first team friendlies on consecutive nights, the club have decided to reduce admission for this game to reserve team prices of £3 (adults) and £2 (concessions) to ease the burden of fans’ pockets.

Supporters of both Thanet’s clubs are looking forward to the two-legged clash as they contest the Thanet Gazette Cup.

Margate’s Hartsdown Park is the venue on Tuesday night, with the return leg at Southwood Stadium on Saturday – and Ward insisted both games will be hugely contested.

“Margate’s always a competitive fixture,” he said.  “I said in the paper on Friday that Dundee v Dundee United or Tottenham v Arsenal, there’s no such thing as a friendly and I wouldn’t expect it any other way.

“That’s why we’ve picked the game.  Hopefully we can get a decent crowd both days and both clubs get a much needed financial boost.

Ward added: “Come Saturday afternoon both teams would want to pick the cup up, no matter what you call it, as the other team will have to watch the other team pick it up.  Believe me it counts!”

All preparation is going towards their opening Ryman League Division One South game of the season, which sees Andy Sinton bring his Fleet Town side to Southwood on Saturday, 15^th August.

“Our target is the play-off’s, without a doubt,” said Ward.  “Nobody’s ever bounced straight back into the (Ryman) Premier League, but our target is the play-off’s, if not better.

“Fleet Town, in my opinion, will be in that five as well, so if we can pick up three points against them straight away, it will be a boost.

“Andy Sinton is a top man, I speak to him quite often, even through we got promoted three years ago, I’ve still spoken to him.

“He knows his stuff, he will have his team ready come Saturday (15^th August).”

The Rams endured a miserable campaign last season, finishing rock bottom of the Ryman Premier League.

The present playing squad at the club, especially for the likes of long-serving stars Warren Schulz, Ben Laslett and Simon Pettit, want to bounce back.

“It’s horrible getting relegated and I’ve never been in that position before, league table’s don’t lie.” said Ward.

“I’ve let a lot of them go.  The team we started on Saturday (for the 3-2 home friendly win against Great Yarmouth Town), eight of the lads didn’t figure last year.

“It’s a bit of a new broom but the base of the side are still there with a lot of (Ryman) Premier League experience in the side.

“The lads that are here like Warren Schulz, Ben Laslett and Simon Pettit, to name but a few, want to get the club back in that top division again.”

Ward’s chances of re-signing Oxford University bound defender Laurence Ball, who clinched the Ryman Premier League title with Dover Athletic last season, appear to be dashed.

“There’s problems that we didn’t foresee,” explained Ward.  “He’s living in Wimbledon – we can’t help out with his expenses, so we’ve put that on a back burner until we see what happens.”

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