Kentish Football 
I'd rather be where we are now or be in midtable with nothing to play for, says Steve O'Boyle
Phoenix Sports played their first game under floodlights in front of 105 fans on Monday night and they thrashed local rivals Seven Acre & Sidcup 6-1.
They reclaimed top spot in the Kent Invicta League after losing it to Hollands & Blair last weekend, but are three points clear of Paul Piggott’s side going into their clash against third-placed Ashford United tomorrow.
Paul Chambers’ Ashford United are six points behind Phoenix Sports and look certain to be playing Kent Invicta League football for a third season next term if they fail to inflict Phoenix Sports’ first league defeat of the season tomorrow.
”I’m looking forward to it to be honest with you,” said O’Boyle, whose side remain unbeaten in all of their 22 league games.
”With that win on Monday night the pressure I would say is more on Ashford. They know they’ve got to come here and beat us and we’re chalking wins off at the moment.”
When asked how many wins his side must claim in their last eight games to clinch the title and promotion into the Kent Hurlimann Football League, O’Boyle replied:
”We know we have to win five out of eight, should do it.
”Listen, I can’t wait for Friday, big game. We had a good game down at their place, a really good game (which we won 2-1). There will be another big crowd here on Friday. I can’t wait!”
When asked whether his side can remain unbeaten for their entire 30-game league campaign, O’Boyle replied, “A few people are saying that! I just want to win this league now and get up. This club deserves to be in the Kent League. We hope we do that and I think we’ll go from strength to strength.
”It’s not about losing games or whatever. If we won the league by one point or on goal-difference or whatever, that’s good enough for me!”
Only one player (Gary Phillimore) from last season’s squad is still at the club and joint-managers Tony Beckingham and O’Boyle have brought in seasoned campaigners that they can trust to deliver results.
”We’re a good side with some good players, some good lads,” said O’Boyle.
”You’ve got to remember, we’ve only got one player from last year. We’ve had to build a whole new team. We’ve brought in players we trust and we’ve had in the past and they’ve stood up to the plate.
”We’ve had a good season, there’s no secret behind it. They’re just good lads, we’ve got boys that we trust and will go out and do a job for us.”
Wins over Ashford United and Hollands & Blair next month will certainly put the champagne on ice.
O’Boyle said: ”We’ve got a big month coming up. We started it off this week, we’ve got a big week. If we can have a good week that will be good.
”We’ve got some big games and that’s what football is all about. You want to play in big games. I’d rather be where we are now or be in midtable with nothing to play for.”
Chambers told the Ashford United website www.ashfordunited.co.uk that he has turned his attentions to next season.
”I don’t think we’ll win the league now,” he admitted, after his side were held to a goal-less draw by Bridon Ropes last weekend.
He added: “I don’t think we’ve got a chance, even if we win the rest of our games.
Everyone has still got games in hand but time is running out. We’ve got to look forward to next season now and prepare for that.
”I’ve got to get a couple of players in and get a couple of players out.
”I’m looking forward to the challenge of playing Phoenix but I think it will be a bit too late for us whatever happens – but we can only give it a go and see where it gets us.”
The game kick's off at one o'clock.
Ashford United quotes courtesy of Jack Wilson – www.ashfordunited.co.uk
Phoenix Sports v Ashford United
Kent Invicta League
Good Friday 29th March 2013
Kick Off 1:00pm
At Phoenix Sports Ground, Mayplace Road East, Barnehurst, Kent DA7 6JT
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd