Everyone at this level knows a run in the Vase is something every club strives for, says Erith & Belvedere joint-assistant manager Andy Constable

ERITH & BELVEDERE joint-assistant manager Andy Constable says he is keen to equal a club record when he takes his side to Broadbridge Heath in The FA Vase Second Qualifying Round tomorrow.

 

The Deres are sitting proudly at the summit of the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table with six wins out of six, two points clear of newly-promoted side Stansfeld, who have played a game more.

“The season so far has gone extremely well and we couldn’t have wished for a better start with six straight wins in the league, albeit we don’t feel we have really clicked yet,” said Constable.

“The only disappointment came in The FA Cup conceding an injury-time equaliser away to Raynes Park Vale, who then went on to beat us 3-2 in the replay.  That performance in the replay was nowhere near the standards we set as a squad and it’s been encouraging to have seven wins in all competitions in a row since then.”

Erith & Belvedere claimed a 2-1 home win over Welling Town on Tuesday night, with both sides making numerous changes to team selection for the Kent Senior Trophy Preliminary Round tie.

“It gave us a chance to rotate players and get some much-needed minutes for some of the boys that haven’t played as much as they would have liked,” added Constable.

“In all honesty, the game could have been over at half-time but we weren’t clinical enough in front of goal and that gave Welling the opportunity to get back into the game.

“I think it would be fair to say that in the second half they were the better side and probably felt that they could have taken the game to extra-time.

“We held on and kept our run going so we were very pleased to progress to the next round.

“It’s important to keep momentum going in the cup competitions so we treat every cup game as the same as the league and set out to win.”

Erith & Belvedere travel to play a Broadbridge Heath side in second-place in the Southern Combination League Premier Division table, level on points with leaders Newhaven, but with a game in hand.

Constable said: “Saturday is a massive game. We had a great win in the previous round winning 9-0 away to East Preston, and we will look to take that form into this game.

“Broadbridge Heath will be extremely tough.  They are currently second in their league with only one defeat in seven games, so I expect this match to be very, very close.

“We managed to watch them at AFC Uckfield in their last league game so we know what to expect.  They won that game convincingly 3-1 so they will be full of confidence going into this fixture.

“This game will be a nice return to Broadbridge Heath for the gaffer Tony Beckingham, who is a bit of a legend, apparently, down there as he has previously played for and then successfully managed the team.  I’m sure he is looking forward to returning for the first time since he left there over 25 years ago.”

The Deres will be without former Holmesdale defender Rory Ward, who is attending a family wedding.

Constable revealed: “More encouragingly, George Purcell made his first appearance for us on Tuesday night and has come through that unscathed after nearly seven months without a game, so that will be massive for us to increase our firepower once he is fully fit, alongside Nathaniel Pinney, who scored his first goal for the club and put in a very solid performance.

“Returning after having Tuesday night off will also be Nathan Palmer, Tyrell Richardson-Brown, Fraser Walker and Ben Wilson.

“We have the chance to equal a club record of eight consecutive wins tomorrow.  I was fortunate enough to be part of the side that holds that record so it will be very nice to match that as part of the management team.

“More importantly though is to progress into the next round as everyone at this level knows a run in the Vase is something every club strives for.”

Broadbridge Heath  v  Erith & Belvedere
The Isuzu FA Vase Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 24 September 2022
Kick Off 3:00pm
at High Wood Hill Sports Ground, Wickhurst Lane, Broadbridge Heath, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 3YS