A FA Cup run will bring the crowds to Greatness Park, says Jones

Monday 17th August 2009

SEVENOAKS TOWN boss Simon Jones says he doesn’t have to motivate his side for Tuesday night’s second showdown against local rivals Tunbridge Wells, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Oaks’ can find themselves hard done by, as they really should be preparing for their FA Cup Preliminary Round trip to Ryman League Division One South side Dulwich Hamlet on 29th August.

But midfielder Guy Smith’s 64th minute red card - when Sevenoaks were 2-1 up at Culverden Stadium on Saturday - proved to be the turning point in a game where Jones’ charges were by far the better side.

Unfortunately for them, they found Tunbridge Wells goalkeeper Mikelle Czanner in outstanding form, pulling off a string of fine saves to thwart the Oaks.

Alex Rich netted for the home side, against the run of play, ten minutes before the break, but Sevenoaks hit back and lead through strikes from winger Chris Walker and striker Matt Foreman, with two goals inside the opening eight minutes of the second half.

The Oaks really should be in the next round but after Smith was red-carded Wells’ levelled through John Pilbeam in the 80th minute, although both sides did have chances to win it.

So it’s back to Greatness Park tomorrow night and Jones, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, says playing at Champion Hill in front of 250 fans is the only motivation that his players need.

“You shouldn’t have to motivate footballers anyway,” he said. “We’re all playing here because we enjoy it and from my point of view all the Sevenoaks guys like playing the new style of football. It’s not the way we played last year.

“I don’t need to motive them, they know it’s a game of football, it’s against Tunbridge Wells. If we get through, Dulwich Hamlet, great! No big deal! We’ll take them on try and play our football.

“I know Gavin (Rose) whose down at Dulwich Hamlet (as manager), he’ll be playing the same style of football so I would like us to go through because I think the football would be an awesome spectacle.”

With a crowd of 127 at Culverden Stadium on Saturday, Jones believes his side’s slick passing should attract similar crowds to Greatness Park.

“I hear that loads and loads that Sevenoaks is not a footballing town,” said Jones. “You just have to look at the local lads at Sevenoaks playing in the youth set-up in the under 16s and under 18s and Sevenoaks have now more of a talented pool within the senior sides.”

When told that Sevenoaks isn’t a footballing town, Jones replied, “I think that’s a bit of a harsh statement. Yes, they play rugby, yes, they play hockey and cricket, but with local talent, if we get a bit more success there’s no reason why we can’t be like (Tunbridge Wells) and get more bigger crowds through the door.

“The fact is the club’s not been successful enough to attract the crowds, that’s my honest view of things. It’s not the fact that the people aren’t there, it’s the fact we’re not giving them enough of a product to watch and not giving them success.”

With £750 worth of prize money up for grabs for Tuesday night’s winners and the gate money from the game at Dulwich Hamlet in the next round (win that and the club will bank £1,500 in FA prize money!), Jones knows a run in the FA Cup would help.

“In this current climate a cup run with the money in brings and also the status it brings would be brilliant,” he added.”

Visit Sevenoaks Town’s website: www.sevenoakstownfc.org

Visit Tunbridge Wells’ website: www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk

Sevenoaks Town v Tunbridge Wells
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Extra Preliminary Round Replay
Tuesday 18th August 2009
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Greatness Park, Mill Lane, Seal Road, Sevenoaks, Kent