21stnov05

Monday 21st November 2005

Wakeling relishing Kent derbies
EXCLUSIVE

Bromley joint-manager George Wakeling is happy with his current squad as they prepare for their third game of the season against Chris Kinnear's Margate at Hartsdown Park on Tuesday night, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Hayes Lane outfit have suffered from an injury crisis throughout their Ryman Premier League return but are currently ninth place in the table with 23 points from 14 games.

And on Saturday, Jones Awuah, an exciting striker who came through the ranks at Gillingham, becoming a regular in their reserves, scored the only goal of the game on his home debut, which was enough to beat full-time side Billericay Town at a frosty Hayes Lane.

But experienced striker Mark Tompkins has been released by the club and has joined Ryman League Division One outfit Banstead Athletic.

Tompkins, whose played for a whole host of South London clubs during his career, has signed for the Merland Rise club in a bid to improve his match fitness, with a view to re-joining Bromley in time for their Christmas and New Year programme.

Speaking about their victory over Justin Edinburgh's side, Wakeling said in an EXCLUSIVE interview with www.kentishfootball.co.uk: "I felt we played well, when you consider we've had a few injuries.

"I think we picked up from our last two performances and it's a step in the right direction.

"I felt for 75 minutes we had the better chances, played the right football and it was only the last fifteen minutes when we rode our luck.

"Their chairman said he felt we deserved it, and so did I - over the 90 minutes."

Wakeling, however, admitted Awuah "done well" when he played in front of the Hayes Lane faithful for the very first time, scoring the winner after only seven minutes.

Wakeling revealed the striker trained with Bromley during pre-season after picking him up from Gillingham. But after his father suffered an illness, Awuah decided not to sign for the club, before going to Southern League Division One East outfit Aveley, which included playing in a FA Trophy tie.

Bromley are relishing their trips to Kent rivals Margate and Dover Athletic and Wakeling added: "I think it will be a tough game. "Margate don't lose many at home.

"They won 1-0 at Windsor & Eton on Saturday, and they always give teams tough games.

"I just hope we play like we did Saturday, play a lot of good football and work hard, and I think we'll be allright if we go down that road."

And looking ahead to their trip to Crabble, when they tackle Ryman League Division One leaders Dover Athletic in the last sixteen of the Westview Cup, Wakeling added: "It's another game for us where we have to do well."

There has been a lot of discussions amongst Bromley supporters that Wakeling should draft in players from their reserve side, which play in the Kent League first division, or on loan to help their injury problems.

But Wakeling admitted he doesn't need to take that option, and added: "To be honest the type of players we've got are pretty versatile and play in various positions and we've got three or four of them and we've managed to cope."

He will, however, be without skipper Allan McLeod (shoulder), Steve Potterill (back) and Des Boateng (hamstring) for their Kent derbies.

When asked if his side can make it into the play-off's, Wakeling replied: "I think if we can get everyone fit, why not?

"We just have to keep away from too many injuries. I think we've had our share."

Meanwhile, Margate's league form received a boost at the weekend with a 1-0 victory at Windsor & Eton, writes Steve Wells - www.margate-fc.com

That win broke a sequence of three league defeats - to Fisher Athletic, Braintree Town and Chelmsford City - albeit by just a single goal in each case.

Margate's last home league game against Chelmsford City was particularly disappointing given the lack of chances that the Thanet side created.

But despite their defeat in the FA Trophy to Dartford, Margate did start to create many more chances; and on another day Adolph Amoako may have scored twice.

Former Bromley striker Amoako joined Ellis Remy on five goals at the weekend as joint scorers for the Blues.

With three new signings in Anthony Allman, Darren Baxter and Charlie Taylor all expected to feature against Bromley, Margate have moved swiftly to replace Ryan Maxwell and former Fisher Athletic star Warren Ryan.

Greg Oates, however, remains sidelined and Hasim Deen is away on international duty with the Gambia under-23 side.

Pat Gradley should make a return to the squad and player-coach John Keister should be available again after missing their win at Stag Meadow at the weekend.

Margate v Bromley
Ryman Premier League
Tuesday 22nd November 2005
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Hartsdown Park, Hartsdown Road, Margate