I am confident we can challenge to achieve the club's promotion goal, says Bears boss Tony Cornwell

Friday 10th August 2012

BEARSTED manager Tony Cornwell says he wants to achieve the club’s major goal of sealing promotion to the Kent League.

The Bears kick-off their second Kent Invicta League campaign with a visit from Bridon Ropes tomorrow.

The Charlton-based outfit were a surprise package last season, finishing in fourth-place in the table, five points adrift of the champions, while Bearsted finished in seventh.

Reflecting on his side’s pre-season campaign, Cornwell said: “Busy schedule with training and trial days and over 40 players’ attending. We played four pre-season games, losing to higher league opposition Maidstone United and Tunbridge Wells and two wins over Maidstone’s reserves at The Gallagher Stadium and Fleet Leisure from the Kent County League.”

Looking ahead to facing Ben Kotey’s side tomorrow, Cornwell said: “We have a difficult start to our season with an opening fixture at home to Bridon Ropes, who finished fourth last year.

“We did, however, beat them 2-1 at home last season and enjoyed a very good home record last year so we are quietly confident.”

Bearsted travel to Ashford United next Tuesday, if Paul Chambers’ side avoid drawing Deal Town in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tomorrow.

Cornwell said: “We know they will desperately be trying to gain promotion this season.

The former Maidstone United coach added: “We have made some significant additions to our squad with a number of ex-Maidstone youth and reserve team players signing and committing to me for this year and we are hoping for a strong challenge in league and cup honours.

“The league will be our main focus and if we can avoid injuries to key players then I am confident we can challenge to achieve the clubs major goal of promotion to the Kent League.”

Visit Bearsted’s website: www.bearstedfc.co.uk

Bearsted v Bridon Ropes
Kent Invicta League
Saturday 11^th August 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Otham Sports Club, Honey Lane, Otham, Maidstone, Kent ME15 8RG