Erith & Belvedere 2-0 Ashford Town - I'm finding Ryman football hard, admits Whincup - EXCLUSIVE

ERITH & BELVEDERE 2-0 ASHFORD TOWN
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Preliminary Round
Friday 31^st August 2007
Stephen McCartney reports from Park View Road

Goalkeeper Jake Whincup admits he’s got to shoulder the blame for Ashford Town’s FA Cup exit at the first hurdle tonight - against an Erith & Belvedere side that played with ten-men for 78 minutes.

The Barking-based goalkeeper, who celebrated his 22^nd birthday last week, failed to line-up a wall, which lead to the Kent League leaders grabbing a 36^th minute lead, as Adrian Deane netted his second goal of the season.

And Whincup admitted afterwards that he should have done better as striker Nick Smith scored his seventh goal of the season, on the counter-attack inside stoppage time, as the Deres sealed a lucrative trip to Ryman Premier League side Maidstone United in the next round in fifteen days time.

But it could have been so different had the Ryman League Division One South visitors captalised on their chances - and one-man advantage.

Ashford called goalkeeper Grant Wallis into action within the opening three minutes, but the former VCD Athletic stopper clawed out Steve Sodje’s header from six-yards.

With Ashford dominating early on, Sodje latched onto a defensive splitting pass from his captain, Lee Spiller, but the pacy-striker dwelled on the ball instead of shooting.

But Erith & Belvedere were reduced to ten-men after just twelve minutes when left-winger, Mark Nougher was sent off for, what Maidstone referee, Mr Lee Venamore confirmed afterwards, as “throwing a punch” at Ashford right-back, Tony Browne.

This forced the Deres into playing a 4-4-1 formation, with Smith dropping to the left-side of midfield, whilst Lee Benevente played as the lone striker, whilst the visitors remained at 4-4-2.

Another Ashford chance went begging after 23 minutes when right-sided midfielder, Nick Barnes, blazed a right-footed free-kick over the bar from 28-yards.

Left-back, Aaron Freeman, in the side as Charlie Glyde wasn’t able to play in this FA Cup tie as he’s on loan from Folkestone Invicta, carved open Ashford’s best chance of the half.

His 32^nd minute whipped in cross from the left, was met by a glancing header from Sodje, which sailed agonisingly past of the far post, from ten-yards.

But Erith & Belvedere stunned their higher league visitors, by taking the lead with nine first half minutes remaining.

Ashford didn’t build a proper wall, but Deane stepped up to unleash a right-footed screamer from 30-yards, which flew past Whincup, who was rooted to the spot, into the top far corner.

Ashford’s stunned players were questioning the lack of a defensive wall to their manager whilst Drew Watkins received treatment, before the Deres’ right-sided midfielder was stretchered off.

Ashford created their first chance of the second half within the opening two minutes, but strong front-man, Rob Denness, floated a shot across the face of goal, following a first-time whipped in cross from Browne.

Despite winning the corner count 10-1, the closest that Ashford came was when stocky midfielder Danny Lye tried to scoop Freeman’s far-post corner in from close range after 51 minutes.

In a rare counter-attack, Erith & Belvedere felt they should have been awarded a penalty after 65 minutes when Benevente, latching onto a defensive splitting pass by Matt Johnson, was tripped by Nick Humphrey.

Two minutes later, Ashford substitute, Walid Matata drew a fine save from Wallis, who saved the angled shot with his legs.

By now, Ashford’s play served more purpose as they tried to salvage a draw and earn a replay on Tuesday night.

Spiller, with an acrobatic half-volley, and Barnes were off target before the home side tried their luck through Deane’s right-footed drive, which was comfortably gathered by Whincup.

But Erith & Belvedere were resilient and they could sense a Cup shock was on the cards.

Despite playing three-men up front, Ashford failed to find the killer touch, and their fans that made the Friday night 90-mile round trip, were soon heading for the exits as Erith & Belvedere wrapped up the victory inside stoppage time.

Hitting their visitors on the counter-attack, former Lordswood striker Smith, netted his seventh goal of the season - the leading marksman at any level here in the Garden of England.

Whincup didn’t’ deal with a loose ball inside his penalty area and this enabled Smith to pounce, and after the ball ricochet of both striker and goalkeeper, the ball trickled into an empty net.

Whincup was “disappointed” that he played a part in his side’s downfall.

Speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, he said afterwards: “I would have said we should have beaten them but they went down to ten-men, you’ve got to fancy your chances, any standard of football. We really should have captalised a bit better than that we did.”

Reflecting on the second goal, Whincup said: “Well, perhaps I should have picked up the initial ball that was going in my area but I chose not to.

“I still feel it could have got defended better by the time it got round to me.

“For the goal, I actually saved it, and it’s hit me, hit him and it’s gone back in, so there was an element of luck involved.”

The goalkeeper, whose played for professional outfits, Norwich City (academy), Hornchurch and Brentford, admitted he’s finding life in the Ryman League tough.

There is bound to be more criticism from bewildered Ashford Town fans after another shoddy display by him tonight.

“Fans’ pay their money, they’re entitled to their own opinion,” he said. “I come here, play my game as best I can, so I just do as I can do.

“If it’s not up to people’s likings, the only people I’m interested in is the manager and my own opinion - I am my highest critic.”

He added: “I know I can play at a higher standard than this. I’m obviously going to be critical of myself.

“Credit to the fans, they’re wouldn’t be no club but I just worry about myself and the manager’s point of view, no-one else’s really.

“I’m looking to get back full-time as quick as possible. I’m sort of trying to push the gap, get my games, and hopefully something better will come along.

“That’s what I’m hoping for, but it’s a good club, it’s a good club to learn my trade with and I’m happy being here for the time being, definitely.”

Whincup admitted Ryman League football is tough for ex-professional’s to adapt to.

Explaining why he left the pro-ranks, he said: “Well, inexperience. I had to get my experience somewhere.

“I chose Hornchurch, it was full-time, circumstances changed, dropped down a few leagues to get some match practise.

“I’ve never played this standard this low before, struggled to come to terms with it at the start but I think I’m starting to grasp it now and hopefully my quality….”

“Pro’s will tell you about coming out of the pro-side of things, full-time set-up, to come twice a week, playing not on the best pitches, poor floodlights, poor Ref’s, it’s just a different game altogether - so it’s took me some time getting used to.

“So I think I’ve get used to it now, I feel I’ve grasped it now, so hopefully I can kick on.”

A down-beat Clive Walker, rued his side’s missed chances.

“Missing about half a dozen chances in the first half, that’s about it really,” he said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“It’s always tough games in FA Cup matches No-one lies down in them like, but we should have taken chances early on.

“Then the game would have really been beyond them then but we didn’t, but that’s what happens sometimes.

“They defended well, the keeper, the back four, defended well.”

Walker, who lead Dover Athletic to the fourth qualifying round last season, losing in a replay at Bishop’s Stortford, insists his side will bounce back in time for Corinthian Casuals’ visit to The Homelands next weekend.

He said: “I’ve been in it 46 years, I’ve had to pick teams up before now, so it ain’t going to make any difference now mate is it? - done it all before!

“It’s the first time I’ve ever been out this round, I’ve got to be honest but sometimes it happens - good luck to them.”

Walker’s men failed to earn a trip to one of Walker’s former clubs, Maidstone United in the next round - something that wasn’t in the manager’s mind.

He added: “You’ve got to win a football match to do that ain’t you. I weren’t even thinking about Maidstone to be honest.

“This was our main priority and we’ve let ourselves down a bit. It doesn’t come into the equation does it now.”

Erith & Belvedere reaction to follow over the weekend.

Erith & Belvedere: Grant Wallis, Mitch Crawley, Matt Bedford, Matt Johnson, Tom Maycock, Paul Gross, Drew Watkins (Marlon Button 42), Adrian Deane, Lee Benevente (Michael McKenna 81), Nick Smith, Mark Nougher.
Subs: Rickie Hardie, Ashley Dunkley, Lee Morgan.

Goals: Adrian Deane 36, Nick Smith 90

Booked: Grant Wallis 45, Adrian Deane 49

Sent off: Mark Nougher 12

Ashford Town: Jake Whincup, Tony Browne, Aaron Freeman, Danny Lye, Rob Gillman, Nick Humphrey, Barry Gardner (Joby Thorogood 67), Lee Spiller, Rob Denness, Steve Sodje (Walid Matata 56), Nick Barnes.
Subs: Kevin Lott, Sam Moore.

Booked: Tony Browne 12, Rob Denness 26, Aaron Freeman 88

Attendance: 216
Referee: Mr Lee Venamore (Maidstone)
Assistants: Mr Anthony Rawlings (Rochester) & Mr Donald MacLeod (Deal)


Interviews are under copywright to www.kentishfootball.co.uk and Stephen McCartney and to publish them, permission must be granted by calling 07979 418 360.