Royston misses Dockers' homecoming

ERITH TOWN boss Steve O’Boyle faces a selection headache ahead of their Bulmers Cider Kent League opener against Sevenoaks Town on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Ben Yiadom (Croydon), Drew Watkins (unattached), Dave Batt, Sam O’Keeffe (both Thamesmead Town), Richmond Kissi (season loan deal from Cray Wanderers), Austin Berkley (Erith & Belvedere), Joe Plant (Sittingbourne) and Harry Montgomery could all make their league debuts for the Dockers, as the club returns back home to the Erith Sports Stadium.

"Some will start and some will be on the bench," O’Boyle revealed to www.kentishfootball.co.uk this morning."

O’Boyle’s men claimed four points off Sevenoaks last season, drawing 3-3 away and winning 2-1 at home - a season long loan groundshare deal at Thamesmead Town’s Bayliss Avenue.

"Both of them were really tight affairs, and I imagine it will be a tough game on Saturday," he recalled.

"But I’m still confident that we can get our season off to a winning start."

O’Boyle revealed that Ted Hart (broken foot), Bradley Killick (groin), Jack Bradshaw (holiday) and Ryan Royston (unavailable) will all miss the opener.

Berkley and Lee Morgan, meanwhile, face fitness tests.

O’Boyle, meanwhile, admitted bringing former Maidstone United central defender Royston to the club is a massive signing.

"Ryan Royston is not available this weekend, but is an excellent signing," he said.

"He’s already scored three goals in two warm-up games. He’ll be a great influence to our squad as he’s been there and done it.

"He’s also a very good coach, but he’s a massive part of our team on the pitch also. It just shows our club’s ambition, with the sort of players that we’ve been bringing in."

O’Boyle revealed that Royston had already booked his weekend away, whilst on the books of Ryman Premier League side Maidstone United, whose league campaign kicks-off seven days later than the Dockers.