8thaug04
Lakin looks to Fenton to be shining light
BARRY LAKIN, manager of Southern League Division One East
club Erith & Belvedere, is building a squad around Dean Fenton capable of
winning the league, writes Stephen McCartney.
Fenton impressed with the rest of his team matches during their 2-1 pre-season
friendly victory over Ryman League Division One side Bromley at Hayes Lane on
Saturday.
Fenton's wonderful strike from 30 yards, that
flew into the top right hand corner, giving young Bromley goalkeeper Harry
Hunter no chance, gave Erith & Belvedere a sixth minute lead.
Lakin, however, admitted Fenton's goal, a summer signing from Redbridge
(formerly Ford United), was one of the best pre-season goals the manager has
ever witnessed.
He admitted: "It was a wonderful goal - one of the best pre-season goals
I've ever seen.
"A fabulous goal - Dean has come from Redbridge, and he has got good
pedigree. He is still only 21, and he is one to look out for this year.
"I think we will hopefully have 15 shining lights and Dean will be a major
part of that.
"He is part of our team and we need him to perform week in, week out, if we
are going to be up there at the end of the season."
Skipper Lewis Tozer headed home a 44th minute corner to give Lakin's side a 2-0
interval lead before prolific striker Mark Watson netted in the 58th minute for
Bromley.
Lakin added: "Yes, it was a good performance. It was very hot out
there and I thought we did well in spells. It's a progression for the 14th
August."
With many new players drafted in at Park View Road, Lakin's side gelled against
Stuart McIntyre's Bromley side.
He said: "That's been our main problem for the standard we are at.
"We have to wait a while for the players to come available, and slowly they
are.
"My main thing this year is based on team spirit, we have a great team
spirit and it's getting there slowly."
And on aiming to land the league championship, in only his first season as
manager at Erith & Belvedere, the former Chelmsford City academy coach said:
"We have some very young players in the team and I am starting to add that
vital bit of experience, which hopefully should come about next week, and we
will be ready!"
Erith & Belvedere open their league campaign with a trip to East Thurrock
United next Saturday before they entertain Beaconsfield SYCOB at Park View Road
on Tuesday 17th August.
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Email Stephen McCartney:
stephen@mccartney2000.fsnet.co.uk
Telephone: 07979 418 360