There's no form guide in the Kent League, says Erith & Belvedere boss Micky Collins

The Deres welcome Ben Taylor’s Woodstock Sports side to Park View Road sitting at the top of the Kent Hurlimann Football League table after picking up 23 points from their opening ten games.

They were criticised for their direct approach during their epic 4-4 home draw against Cray Valley (Paper Mills) on Tuesday night as all four of their goals came from set-pieces.

Steve Hanson, 25, who has arrived on a month’s loan from Ryman League Division One South side Herne Bay, grabbed himself a hat-trick and although being a defender he had mixed feelings on his home debut after Steve Chapman’s side scored four goals past him.

Collins said after the game that he would watch Woodstock Sports’ game against Deal Town the following night – which Woodstock won 5-0.

“A win’s a win at the end of the day,” said Collins, who knows you normally have to ditch a slick passing game to get out of the Kent League.

“We’ll patch us up and chuck it out there Saturday and have a go. Hopefully Cray Valley will play like they did against us and they’ll go and get a result against Erith Town on Saturday and hopefully that will throw that in the mix.”

Erith & Belvedere moved one point clear of Erith Town following their midweek draw against Cray Valley (Paper Mills), who host Tony Russell’s side tomorrow.

“Every weekend’s a big weekend, it’s the Kent League,” said Collins.

“Unless you turn up - and I always say it to our players – unless you get 11 boys who go out there and play seven-out-of-ten every week, there’s always going to be a shock.

“Let’s be honest, Rochester United have gone and won 3-0 against Lordswood, who are flying. Lordswood have got a blooming good side this year and Rochester done the business because they’re up for it.

“It’s the Kent League.  There’s no form guide.  It’s irrelevant.”

Injuries are mounting up for Collins ahead of tomorrow’s game.  Jamie Wood, Richmond Kissi and Allan Matthews were all forced off with groin injuries on Tuesday night.

Orland Smith, is nursing an ankle injury, whilst Drew Crush  and Lewis Mingle have both been ruled out with long-term knee injuries.

But Collins has bolstered his squad with the arrival of goalkeeper Luke Roberts from Greenwich Borough.

Collins said: “That’s what happens in football.  One minute you’ve got a squad of twenty  players and then all off a sudden you’re down to fourteen and you’re picking the bones out of it, so we’ll pick the phone up and if it needs cover I will make some calls to the clubs that I have dealings with and see who we can bring in to cover our back.”

Visit Erith & Belvedere’s website: www.erithandbelvederefc.co.uk

Erith & Belvedere  v  Woodstock Sports
Kent Hurlimann Football League
Saturday 29^th September 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY