I take a fair slice of the blame for our inconsistency, says Canterbury City joint-boss Ben Smith

CANTERBURY CITY joint-manager Ben Smith says he is taking responsibility for the club’s current slump in form.

The club have suffered three successive defeats and have slipped down to 12^th place in the Southern Counties East Football League table, having collected 9 wins, 2 draws and 12 defeats.

Canterbury City travelled to Dartford last weekend and suffered a 4-0 defeat to second-placed Greenwich Borough, where striker Mohammed Eisa took his goalscoring tally for the season to 27 goals with a hat-trick.

“After pushing Greenwich Borough in our previous two games we fancied ourselves to go there and maybe cause an upset but in the end they were ruthless and punished any mistake that we made on the day,” said Smith.

“Fair play to them, they have changed their style a bit, which has given them a good balance and on the day Eisa was unplayable at times.

“Difficult one to take losing by four as it didn’t feel that one sided but we knew before the game there was no pressure on us and it’s crucial that we don’t dwell on that result as we now start playing the teams that are around us.”

With landlords Ashford United travelling to Wiltshire to play Wessex League leaders Salisbury in The FA Vase Quarter-Finals, Canterbury City host Lordswood in the league at Homelands Stadium tomorrow.

James Collins has guided the Medway outfit to fifth-place in the table and Smith led the plaudits.

“I’ve been impressed with what Lordswood have done this season,” he said.

“I have been banging on about playing good football and keeping the consistency all season and they have been able to do both where we haven’t quite managed it.

“I take a fair slice of the blame for our inconsistency as we’ve probably changed too much too quickly but a title shot was unrealistic at the start of the season so when is there a better time to evolve the squad?

“There have been lots of positives to take this season but they are now starting to become distant memories with our current decline so the next five games are massive in the context of our season.”

Visit Canterbury City’s website:  www.pitchero.com/clubs/canterburycityfc

Canterbury City  v  Lordswood
Southern Counties East Football League
Saturday 20^th February 2016
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Homelands Stadium, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NJ