18thapr04

McIntyre aims to deliver the goods next season

STUART McINTYRE, manager of Ryman League Division One South Bromley, may have seen his side drop out of the promotion places, but he is already planning for next season's assault for success, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Hayes Lane outfit have only two games remaining in what has been a disappointing campaign.  Their final home game is against basement boys, Epsom & Ewell next Saturday, before they make the long trip to Marlow on the first Saturday in May.

Bromley were chasing seventh place with Slough Town and going into last Saturday's game at home to Ashford Town (Middlesex) they defeated Bracknell Town 4-0 at Hayes Lane, before drawing at Walton & Hersham (3-3) and winning 4-1 at Egham Town.

However, the Middlesex side had other idea's and came away from Hayes Lane with a 3-2 victory that ended Bromley's promotion dream.

Ashford were 2-0 up inside 31 minutes through strikes from Richard Butler and Aidan Kilner, before Adolph Amoako pulled a goal back for the Ravens from the spot, nine minutes after the break.

Paul Johnson increased Ashford's tally scoring five minutes later before Amoako added a second after 68 minutes, before having a header ruled out for offside later in the game.

McIntyre said: "I was very down and very disappointed after the Ashford game because it was a key game, where we created enough chances to win.  We scored two goals and had a third goal disallowed, but we let in soft goals and it hurt.

"I spoke to the players after the game about individual responsibilities and not waiting for somebody else in the team to be the spark, and go and give what you've got and show people what you've got and stick together, and believe in each other as well, as well as your own ability.", revealed the manager.

McIntyre's inspiring words had the desired effect, as Bromley destroyed local neighbours, and promotion candidates, Dulwich Hamlet by four goals to nil at Champion Hill on Easter Monday.

A fine hat-trick from Mark Watson, who joined Bromley just before transfer deadline day from Lewes, and a superb strike from Landry Zahana-Oni brought smiles back to the Bromley faithful.

Watson has been an instant hit for Bromley, scoring five goals in six games.

McIntyre praised the former Sutton United and Aldershot Town striker.  He said: "Mark Watson has been a good addition to the team.  He allows the midfield and defence to get out and keep the ball, options come from that and of course he has added five goals in six games."

Another recent signing, defender Danny Arkwright has fitted in superbly after joining before transfer deadline day from Dulwich Hamlet.

McIntyre added: "Danny Arkwright has come in and looked as if he has played for us for a while.  He doesn't look out of place, he is heading well, he is a straight forward football player."

On Saturday, league leaders Windsor & Eton came to Hayes Lane, looking to clock up another victory, and help clinch the championship.

However, Bromley had other idea's and recorded their twenty-first win of the season, only their ninth at Hayes Lane, with a 1-0 victory.

Bromley goalkeeper, Danny Harwood, a main-stay in the team, with 258 appearances to his name, denied Windsor's Dave Carroll twice from free kicks in the first half, as both sides found it difficult in windy conditions to test either goalkeeper.

Windsor goalkeeper, Chuck Martini, returned to the club he played for last season, and he pulled off a fine save, blocking Steve Potterill's fierce drive after 72 minutes after Watson's run down the right got him to the by-line before setting up the South African.

The winning goal came with ten minutes remaining.  John Myatt's corner kick was met at the far post by a powerful header from right-back, John Wilfort, to score his first goal of the season, from inside the six yard box.

Windsor's best chance of the game came after Ryan Parson's run got him to the by-line after beating Potterill down the left.  His cross found an unmarked Kieran Gallagher whose volley was poked  over the crossbar by Craig O'Connor.

Bromley skipper, John Myatt lost possession, two minutes after the decisive strike from Wilfort, to substitute Morgaro Gomis, who set up Tony Reid, but the striker, who made 29 appearances for Bromley, scoring 8 goals earlier in the season, drilled a shot narrowly wide of the foot of the left upright.

McIntyre, who managed reserve sides at Woking and Kingstonian, before joining Bromley in October 2001, helped Bromley to sixth place in the league last season and the club won the London Senior Cup last April, when they defeated Ryman Premier Division side, Ford United 1-0 at Dagenham & Redbridge, finishing the game with only eight men on the pitch.

McIntyre resigned from Hayes Lane two years later, and was away from Hayes Lane for fourteen league games.  The team saw Eddie Saunders, chairman Jerry Dolke, assisted by captain John Myatt and goalkeeping coach Derek Parnham, and former Tonbridge Angels manager Alan Walker, take over as manager before McIntyre made a welcome return three months later.

McIntyre, ironically returned for the away game at Banstead Athletic in January, which inspired the players in a 2-1 victory, after his last game in charge, was the home game against the Surrey side, which resulted in a 1-1 draw.

McIntyre insisted: "We must put this season behind us, and learn from it."

When asked if he learnt anything from this campaign, the Scot admitted: "Yes, I'm stronger.  I don't regret what I did.  I was put in a position where I had no option but to make the decision I made.

"Hindsight is a great thing," he said.  "You love to think you can change it, but you can't.  You've got to learn from it!

"I am definately stronger.  I'm prepared to make decisions and stand up and be counted.  I really do think we have moved on, and we can generally build on this."

McIntyre revealed: "There are lots of things going on behind the scenes.  New floodlights, a reserve team for next season, additional teams in the youth structure and we've got developments with the council about using Norman Park for some of our youth teams."

Despite the club playing at their lowest level of football in it's history next season, this isn't a problem for the manager, as he builds a squad capable of bringing league success to the club's long-suffering supporters.

McIntyre said: "We know the things we've got wrong this season as a football club.  There are lots of people who understand the issues and responsibilities.  We've learned lessons and we will build to keep the bulk of the squad together into the new league, and although people will be disappointed, it only puts us a year behind.

"Hopefully we can get the job done next season.  I understand there are two automatic promotion places next season, and four places for play-off's, so we have everything to go for.

"The league will be very like this one in standard, and we just got to grab ourselves and make sure we are very fit at the start of the new season and continue to play the way we've played."

Never in the top six places this season, McIntyre will be aiming for his side to quickly jump out of the starting blocks when the new season, which will see the club play new teams, gets underway.

He said: "We keep saying we will go for it, and all we can do is prepare as well as we can, and hopefully another pre-season together and we will be stronger and deliver the goods next year.  That's all we can ask!  I've said to a couple of friends, it's so important in this league to get to the top of the table as quickly as you possibly can.  This will give you confidence and when you chase the pack, if you have a FA Cup run, like we did this year, you just never catch up."

Gary Drewett (ill) missed Saturday's 1-0 win over Windsor & Eton, but defender Dean Forbes will miss the remainder of the season due to work commitments.  However, eighteen-year-old central defender, John Butler, who has returned to the club from Dr Martens League Eastern Division side Dartford, played for Bromley's youth team, which lost 3-2 at home to West Wickham on Sunday, to build on his fitness.

To get your manager interviewed, telephone Stephen McCartney on 07979 418 360
or Email:   stephen@mccartney2000.fsnet.co.uk