Don't treat Lordswood lightly, Huntley tells his side

Thursday 28th January 2010

BECKENHAM TOWN boss Jason Huntley has told his side not to underestimate Lordswood on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Huntley’s side have booked their place in the semi-finals of the Bulmers Cider Kent League Cup as they beat last season’s finalists Erith Town over two-legs, to win 5-2 on aggregate.

But Huntley, who was speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk following his side’s last minute 3-2 away win over the Dockers, insists complacency must not creep in when Lordswood visit Eden Park Avenue on Saturday.

Beckenham are presently in fifth place in the table, with a record of seven wins and two draws from their 14 outings.

Lordswood, now managed by Jason Lillis, are suffering at the foot of the table and are without a league win in 11 games and have only collected three draws in the league all season.

“I know, and I don’t like the boys knowing that,” Huntley said. “Looking at that you do get a mindset that you can just turn up and win those games and that’s been our problem.

“Some of our results that we’ve dropped have been against some of the lower teams, we sort of dip our performance a little bit.

“I’ll be on to them. I don’t care about league positions because anything could happen.

“That proved that Saturday (a goal-less draw at home to Sporting Bengal). They used to be the whipping boys but they’ve picked up a few points this year.

“Although Lordswood haven’t won a game, I’ll be making sure the players don’t even look at that to be honest.”

Beckenham Town then turn to being underdogs when they travel to Harrow Borough in the third round of the London Senior Cup next Tuesday night.

The side have an extra incentive to beat the Ryman Premier League side at Earlsmead, they could welcome well-supported club, AFC Wimbledon to Eden Park Avenue in the next round.

The Dons must get through Tooting & Mitcham at Imperial Fields next Monday first, but Huntley wants his side to be in a position to welcome the Blue Square Premier giants.

“I wouldn’t say we’re out of it, by no stretch of the imagination,” said Huntley.

“If we play with our full team out on the day we’ll give everyone a game, I’m quite confident about that!

“The incentive with THAT game coming up, a few lads haven’t played in front of big crowds, a few off the new boys. It’s good for them. It’s all for them as well.

“It will help the club out financially a little bit. It would be good for everyone to play AFC Wimbledon at home.”

Huntley hopes Harrow Borough follow the normal procedure against lower league sides in county cup ties.

“Weakened side? I’m hoping that!” added Huntley. “To be honest that might be our only hope.

“Whatever side we put out, we’ll give 100%. If we get something there, all the better!”

Visit Beckenham Town’s website: www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk

Beckenham Town v Lordswood

Bulmers Cider Kent League

Saturday 30th January 2010

Kick Off 2:00pm

At Eden Park Avenue, Beckenham, Kent BR3 1JT