1stsept05

Thursday 01st September 2005

Deres Innocent until proven guilty

Erith & Belvedere are pleased to welcome back goalkeeper Ricky Hall, midfielders Mark Horan and Paul McCarthy and striker Dan Jeffries for their visit to Maidstone United on Saturday (1:00pm), writes Stephen McCartney.

All four players return from holiday in time for their training session tonight at the club's excellent new training facility in Erith.

The club are also pleased to announce the signing of former Wimbledon player Anton Innocent.

"He goes straight into the squad this weekend and will give us more attacking options with his pace and strength," assistant manager Wayne Baldacchino said in an EXCLUSIVE interview with www.kentishfootball.co.uk

Having played only one league game so far this season - a 1-1 draw at Sporting Bengal United on the opening day of the season - the Deres are looking to get their season going after losing at home (2-1) to Tooting & Mitcham United in the FA Cup last weekend, and are also relishing their local derby against Martin Ford's VCD Athletic, which takes place at Park View Road next Tuesday, 6th September.

Meanwhile, the Stones felt they lost two points when they threw away a comfortable 2-0 lead at Reachfields Stadium against Hythe Town on Monday.

Although it could have been a lot worse for Maidstone had Hythe been awarded a penalty in the last minute when Gary Kimble clearly handled Roy Godden's shot.

After the heights of last Saturday - winning 3-0 at Winchester City in the preliminary round of the FA Cup - Stones' coach, Alan Walker told www.maidstoneunited.co.uk that he was feeling: "Very, very disappointed." with the 2-2 draw.

He added: "People were trying to win the game on their own and as a team generally, we suddenly thought we were better than we were and that allowed them to get the impetus.

"I thought we were poor at being professional and I think Hythe Town will feel unlucky not to have got all three points."

Maidstone United v Erith & Belvedere
Kentish Observer League
Saturday 3rd September 2005
Kick Off 1:00pm
at Bourne Park, Central Park, Eurolink, Sittingbourne