Corinthian boss Tony Sitford boosted with return of strike pairing

Wednesday 01st September 2010

CORINTHIAN boss Tony Sitford says he will welcome back his favoured front pairing for their FA Vase tie against Sidley United on Sunday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Gay Dawn Farm outfit play their first FA Vase tie for the first time since the 1997-1998 season when they lost 3-0 away to Camberley Town in the second round.

Sitford admitted the loss of Lee Barnett and Richard Stevens was a blow as they somehow held wasteful Erith Town to a 1-1 home draw on Bank Holiday Monday, as the Dockers twice hit the woodwork, had four shots cleared off the line and a goal ruled out for offside.

Corinthian skipper, Jamie Billings, put in an inspired shift, leading by example, as he cleared the ball off his own goal-line on three occasions.

Barnett and Stevens (who has scored three goals) will take to the field in Hailsham on Sunday against Sidley, who are one of a number of clubs in Sussex that groundshare with the local cricket club.

Sidley are presently in fourteenth place (out of 20 teams) in the top flight of the Sussex County League - although Corinthian are high-flying in the Kent League with seven points from their opening five games, although Sitford’s side have played the most games.

Reflecting on their defeat to Erith Town, Sitford told www.kentishfootball.co.uk that his strike options was limited.

“We haven’t actually played our full side,” he bemoaned.

“Lee Barnett’s girlfriend had an accident abroad and he wasn’t able to fly back and Richard Stevens, who scored both our goals last Saturday, has gone away on holiday.

“I’m not going to make any excuses. We’re here to play, that’s how it’s been with us at the moment, but we’ve not played our full side yet.”

Corinthian, who’s most famous past players include Andy Hessenthaler and Jimmy Bullard, are looking forward to playing their first FA Vase tie since 1997.

“It’s our first one, we’re looking forward to it,” said Sitford, ahead of the club’s 38th FA Vase tie.

“My coaches have been to watch them. We feel if we play to our potential, we’ll get a result, it’s as simple as that!”

He added: “If we play, we can get results. We’ve got to have forwards, but we’ve got Richie and Lee back Saturday. Oh God, we missed them on Monday!

“At the end of the day, if you can’t hold the ball up, what’s going to happen? It’s going to keep coming back!

“We put a centre half (Joe Risby) up there and we said to him can you just hold it up. Unfortunately he’s a centre half and he plays in the midfield and at the back. We took a chance because the defence played every so well (during the 1-0 defeat at Hythe Town) and we didn’t want to change it.”

Sidley United v Corinthian

FA Carlsberg Vase First Qualifying Round

Sunday 5th September 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At The Beaconsfield, Western Road, Hailsham, East Sussex BN27 3DY