Win over Glebe continues to top up the belief in the group and allow us to set our sights on breaking into that top eight, says Canterbury City boss Ben Smith

CANTERBURY CITY manager Ben Smith says he has challenged his side to grab a place in the top eight in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table.

The club sit in eleventh-place in the pecking order with 25 points from their 16 games and are only three points adrift of eighth-placed Lordswood.

Canterbury City beat Glebe 1-0 last Saturday and Smith said:  “It was a hard one to judge, our last game really.  We started brightly but became frustrated when they went down to 10 men and the conditions quickly deteriorated which probably spoilt a lot of the game on the day.

“I wasn’t happy at full-time even though we had the three points and made that quite clear to the players but looking back with fresh eyes on it we created an awful lot of good chances in the game and we’ve played a lot better and lost so it’s hopefully the start of a good run for us.”

Smith takes his side to Gillingham tomorrow to play bottom-three side Hollands & Blair.

“They have done a great job transitioning the side, which is always difficult especially when you consider how different the squad is there now to when they were pushing Ashford and Greenwich Borough,” said Smith.

“Taking points away from there will continue to top up the belief in the group and allow us to set our sights on breaking into that top eight.

“I believe we have a squad that should be up there and signings like Dean Grant certainly back that claim up but we have to be consistent now.”

Smith is looking forward to a brighter New Year, with Canterbury City hosting Newport Pagnell Town in the Last 32 of The Buildbase FA Vase on Sunday 6 January at Salters Lane, Faversham.

Smith said:  “I think 2019 is set to be the biggest year in the clubs history off the pitch.  The stadium saga will finally reach a conclusion and we hope this will match that of Cray Wanderers, who we are delighted for.

“Anyone that has managed a side that are nomads will tell you how difficult it is. It would be great to have positive news for us to build towards on the pitch.

“We start the year off with the clubs biggest ever game in the Last 32 of The FA Vase so we are aiming to get off to a flyer.”

Visit Canterbury City’s website: www.canterburycityfc.net

Hollands & Blair  v  Canterbury City
Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division
Saturday 22 December 2018
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Star Meadow, Darland Avenue, Gillingham, Kent ME7 3AN