We are expecting an action packed match against Fire United, says Erith & Belvedere boss Owen Jones

ERITH & BELVEDERE manager Owen Jones says his side are feeling tired having played eight games already in August.

 

The Deres are in ninth-place in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division, having collected a win and three draws from their opening six league outings.

Five of their eight games in League and Cup fixtures have finished all-square at 1-1 and tomorrow they welcome Fire United to Park View Road in the Buildbase FA Vase First Qualifying Round.

Based at the Terence MacMillan Stadium in Plaistow, Fire United sit at the foot of the Eastern Counties League First Division South table, having lost 5-0 at Burnham Ramblers on the opening day of the season and 2-0 at Little Oakley.

“We are expecting an action packed match, with both side’s going for it so hopefully we can get the right result,” said Jones.

“We have been very busy with playing Tuesday, Saturday and then Monday and to be honest by the time we played on the Monday against Glebe, I think the boys’ were tired.

“The last two games we played under very hot weather but I am not making excuses because it was the same for the other two teams that we played.”

Jones is trying to get his side used to playing at a higher level of football, having sealed promotion along with champions Welling Town from the Southern Counties East Football League First Division last season.

He said: “I am convinced that we can be a good team that can challenge other teams and compete at a higher level, if we continue to work hard.

“As always, the support has been brilliant for the team and we thank you for your kind words of encouragement, just being there for the team, so we are trying our best to give you something to cheer and enjoy as you watch us play.

“Every game has it’s ups and downs but it’s how we react to them. We are all trying to learn more about ourselves as Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division players because many of us have not played at this level before, so to be honest, it’s a work in progress.  We will get there, I believe that we are a very good team. We just have got to focus more on the job at hand.”

Visit Erith & Belvedere’s website: www.erithandbelvederefc.clubbuzz.co.uk

Erith & Belvedere  v  Fire United
The Buildbase FA Vase First Qualifying Round
Saturday 31 August 2019
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY