22ndaug04

Silk pleased despite opening reserve league loss

ANDY SILK, manager of Bromley's second string remains upbeat despite his side losing 2-1 at Hythe Town in the opening game of the Go Travel Kent League Second Division, writes Stephen McCartney.

Silk, however, was very pleased with the performance from his young and in-experienced squad, mostly last season's under eighteen side, which included two sixteen year olds, Harry Downer and skipper Rhys Robinson.

Silk, a former player at Bromley, Leyton-Pennant and Cray Wanderers, and in his first season as manager at any level, said: "We played really well.  In the first half we could have been three or four nil up.

"I know it sounds like an old cliché, but we did miss some sitters really.

"We went in at 0-0 at half time, and the way Hythe started the second half, they knew they were let off the hook and they came out a bit.

"They took the game to us in the second half and  to be fair, we conceded two bad goals."

After Hythe opened the scoring, a screamer from Chris Hill levelled the score, after a great move involving Joe Bell, however Silk admits his side conceded another sloppy goal from a free kick.

Silk added: "In the last twenty minutes we really upped it and we were unlucky when Joe Bell had a goal disallowed for offside in the last minute."

Silk, however, is delighted with his young squad, and asks for the same commitment when they entertain Tunbridge Wells' second string at Cray Wanderers' ground in Oxford Road, Sidcup next Saturday.

The likeable player-manager said:  "What I said to the players was, with all the pre-season friendlies, the seriousness and the intenseness of the league, the way we handled ourselves and moved the ball about was excellent."

Silk was satisfied with the playing surface at Reachfields Stadium, which allowed his team to get the ball down and play some good football.

Silk added: "I was really pleased with it all.  I told the players to keep their heads up and don't let the defeat affect them.

"Although points are at stake, we are taking the league seriously, but I am looking for performances really."

Looking ahead to play the Culverden outfit, who opened their campaign with a home 3-1 loss at the hands of Beckenham Town's second string, Silk added: "I am just looking for exactly the same performance and attitude.

"It's an old cliché but if we can play like we did at Hythe - then we will get results as well, which will be a bonus."

Bromley: Harry Hunter (Dean Cairns), Frank Windsor, Jamie Leggett, Rhys Robinson (Capt), Wayne Fulham (Micky Graham), Anthony Pace, Chris Hill, James Falaise, Harry Downer, Joe Bell, Alan Owens (Jack Hicks).  Subs: Kevin Green, Andy Silk

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