Davies pleased with life at Lingfield

Thursday 27th August 2009

FORMER Erith & Belvedere assistant manager Gary Davies says he’s enjoying life across the border at Lingfield, writes Stephen McCartney.

Davies left Kent League side Erith & Belvedere last January to concentrate on his two new business ventures, but answered a telephone call in the summer from former Holmesdale and Croydon managers Tony Beckingham and Ken Thurgood to join the management set-up at the Surrey club.

The trio justified their switch, however, as after five games into the new season Lingfield are sitting in second place in the Sussex County League top flight, unbeaten in five games and are just a point adrift of Whitehawk.

“It was nice to be asked by Tony and Ken to join the management team of Lingfield, who are unbeaten in their first five league games in the Sussex County League top flight,” Davies told www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight.

“The difference between the Sussex and the Kent League is there’s a lot more games to play. The standard is very similar to the Kent League, but as neither of the three of us have managed in this division before, it’s too early to judge which of the two league’s is more competitive.”

Having stuffed league rivals Hailsham Town by seven goals to one in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, confidence is high going into Sunday’s home game against Southwick in the preliminary round.

The game is being played at East Grinstead’s ground as Lingfield’s ground at Godstone Road stages cricket at this time of the year.

“Hailsham are in our league and where we haven’t been scoring many goals, it was a great performance to get seven goals against our league rivals,” reflected Davies.

“After a few good cup runs with Erith & Belvedere and earning the club a good bit of money, it would be nice to do the same at Lingfield.”

Looking ahead to the game, Davies knows lower league Southwick cannot be taken lightly, especially as they beat Kent League side Herne Bay at the first hurdle.

“We’ve had them watched last weekend and we know they’re going to be a hard side to beat, having knocked Herne Bay out in the last round and that they’re unbeaten in the league,” he said.

With many familiar names signed from Kent League clubs, notably Croydon and Holmesdale, Davies is pleased that they have swiftly got accustomed to Sussex County League football.

“After a lot of hard work in pre-season and players getting used to each other, the players have responded very well and hopefully the vein of good form that we’re in at the moment will continue,” Davies added.

Davies’ websites are www.justsportsstore.co.uk and www.goalkeepersdirect.co.uk.

Visit Lingfield’s website: www.clubwebsite.co.uk/lingfieldfootballclub

Visit East Grinstead’s website: www.egtfc.co.uk

Lingfield v Southwick

FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Preliminary Round

Sunday 30th August 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At East Court, College Lane, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 3LS