Conneally pays tribute to "inspirational" Rogers - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

VCD Athletic goalkeeper Chris Conneally, 23, paid tribute to his opposite number on Wednesday night, writes Stephen McCartney.

Tunbridge Wells’ stopper Alan Rogers may be sixty-years-old, but his two second half saves to thwart Vickers striker Juan Ramirez, 16, and substitute Chris Johnston were absolutely first class, as Wells fully deserved a point in the 1-1 draw at Culverden Stadium.

And that point ensured Whitstable Town will be playing Dartford, Sittingbourne, Ashford Town and Chatham Town and co in the Ryman League Division One South next season.

Vickers needed to beat second-from-bottom side Tunbridge Wells last night to ensure that the Kent League title race went to it’s final day.

Vickers skipper Paul Foley eased the tension when he broke the deadlock with nine first half minutes remaining, steering the ball past Rogers from six-yards, after Lee Coburn flicked on Stuart Abbott’s corner.

Vickers substitute Steve Hogg, meanwhile, thumped a volley against the crossbar after just 40 seconds of the second half - before Tunbridge Wells levelled on 48 minutes.

Former Greenwich Borough midfielder Abdul El-Ferdi was the man the broke Vickers hearts, and with Rogers’ heroics, a bit of good fortune, especially when Andy Garrett got away with handling on the line during a mass goal-mouth scramble at the death, Wells were able to do Whitstable Town a favour.

“Massively disappointed - it would have been nice to keep it alive until the last game of the season,” Conneally said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk last night.

“The league’s not won or lost over one game but it would have been nice to keep it alive, baring in mind (the) two good wins we had over Whitstable over the last few weeks.”

The highly-rated former Marine and Erith Town stopper, who revealed he’s away on holiday when Deal Town visit Oakwood on Saturday for the last game, was full of praise for hero Rogers.

He said: “As a keeper, I’ve got to credit their guy at 60-years-old, Alan. He’s pulled off some great saves and he’s been an inspiration.

“I’m sure he’ll be happy with that. It’s just great to see someone at that age still playing. It’s dedication, he’s always kept himself fit and it’s great to see him playing.

“They had a job to do and you could tell how happy they were at the end. They stopped us in our tracks and put in a good performance.”

Conneally asks his team-mates to finish the campaign on a high note when Deal Town visit on Saturday.

“Well, it’s a chance to finish on a relatively high note,” he said. “Obviously the lads will be massively disappointed, but it’s nice we can be a little bit relaxed and hopefully put in a good performance and hopefully finish the season on a high note.

“We can look forward to next season - I’m sure there’s a lot of good times ahead.”

Conneally believes Whitstable Town will adapt to life in the Ryman League - following in the footsteps of Cray Wanderers, Ramsgate and Maidstone United.

“They’ve been the most consistent team over the course of the season,” admitted the goalkeeper.

“They’ve got a professional outfit down there, they’re a well run club and they play well.

“I’m sure they’ll do the Kent League proud when they go up and I wish them all the best of luck.”

And caretaker-manager Dean Frost has vowed he’s the man to pick up the pieces next season.

The former Vickers, Dartford and Bromley defender, 30, was promoted from assistant manager to caretaker following Martin Ford’s shock departure a few weeks ago.

But he admitted he’s got a tough task on his hands to rally his troops for Saturday’s game against Deal Town.

Speaking after last night’s devastating blow, Frost said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk  : “I’ve just said to the lads, we’ll compete again. We’ve still got some good footballers on show, technically good players to go out and enjoy ourselves and put a few goals on for the people that will be there.

“It’s very hard to say too much after the game (as) I’m not one for saying too much after games because when people are disappointed they’re very hard to pick up.

“I just said to the players “thanks for their efforts during the season”. We’ve got one more game so let’s go and enjoy ourselves.”

And on his future, Frost added: “”I’d like to think that I’d be around the club in some capacity, whether it be manager, coach or assistant manager.”

Frost revealed that striker Richard Sinden has been unavailable recently due to a family wedding abroad.

VCD Athletic v Deal Town
Kent League Premier Division
Saturday 24^th April 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Oakwood, Old Road, Crayford, DA1 4DN