I generally think the ability that we've got in the squad we can do well, says Simon Austin

CANTERBURY CITY player-manager Simon Austin says he is pleased that his new-look squad have settled in well.


Canterbury City sit in sixth-place in the Kent Hurlimann Football League table with two wins and two draws from their opening five games – seven points adrift of early leaders Erith Town, who have not let in a goal in their opening five league outings.

Austin and his assistant Jimmy Strouts took over the reins in the summer and brought in many new players who have played at a higher level of football.

And Austin is delighted with his side’s start to the new campaign.

“Very good actually. I was very disappointed after Saturday’s defeat (2-1 away to Rochester United), our first defeat of the season, but I was speaking to my assistant Jim on Saturday about the game and he reminded me that we haven’t played a double number of games together.

“It just proves we’ve come a very long way in a very short space of time.”

Austin is pleased that his squad have immediately gelled together.

He said: “One of the big plusses is it’s a completely new squad. I think there’s only four or five players from last year and (there’s a good) team spirit.

“Me and Jim knew that when we took over that it was going to be difficult to get. I didn’t expect it to happen as quickly as it has.

“We’ve spoken about it before – it’s pleasing to get that team spirit straight away.”

Canterbury City make an emotional return to FA competition for the first time in thirteen years as they welcome Gerry Cox’s Greenwich Borough to Winch’s Field on Sunday afternoon.

Looking forward to the First Qualifying Round clash, Austin said: “It’s a fantastic achievement from the chairman and the board for all their hard work that goes in to it. It’s great for them.

“From my point of view it’s another game of football for us to win. We’re here to win. We don’t want to get caught up with anything.”

Greenwich Borough may be in the bottom three in the Kent League table, with three points from three games, but they booked a lucrative home tie against neighbours Cray Wanderers in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round on 8 September.

The cash-strapped club, who groundshare Holmesdale’s Oakley Road in Bromley, scooped a much-welcomed £1,750 in FA prize money after Akim Hanson scored the only goal of the game to see off Sidley United in last night’s replay.

Austin warned: “They’re an unpredictable one really. I kind of know what to expect and not to know what to expect but I’ve had them watched, spoke to a few people.  We’re working on a few things.  They’re one of those teams that on their day they can beat anybody in the league.

“I’ve been involved with some good Cup runs myself over my career and it is fantastic for the boys and I will be reminding them about that.

“I generally think the ability that we’ve got in the squad we can do well.”

Visit Canterbury City’s website: www.canterburycityfc.org

Canterbury City  v  Greenwich Borough
The FA Carlsberg Vase First Qualifying Round
Sunday 2^nd September 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Winch’s Field, Stanley Gardens, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 5SG