I should get an award for being the most hated player in the Kent League, says Norton's Ben Taylor

CONTROVERSIAL Norton Sports player-manager Ben Taylor claims he should get an award for being the “most hated” player in the Kent League, writes Stephen McCartney.

The 30-year-old insisted his side would “smash” league leaders Hythe Town at Woodstock Park on Good Friday, and the former Fisher Athletic and Sittingbourne skipper was true to his word as his side’s 3-1 win over Scott Porter’s side has opened up the title race going into the last two games.

One neutral wasn’t impressed with the antics of Taylor during the feisty encounter.

Posting on a groundhoppers’ forum at www.nonleaguematters.co.uk, the Basingstoke based watcher claimed, “A very, very feisty encounter, not helped by the antics of the home teams player manager, who behaved like a drunken pub player and was frankly a disgrace.”

Taylor said he was targeted by Hythe’s female travelling contingent.

“I was confident against Hythe, like I said to you before.  We just went at them, we got amongst them and to be fair they didn’t want to know – they bottled it really!

He added: ”All game I was just absolutely abused and it makes me laugh that we’ve got this reputation of being thugs and you’ve got 18 year old girls, 20 year old girls and 40 year old girls f’ing and blinding and calling me a C word and a thug and that I shouldn’t be on the pitch.

”What have I done?  I haven’t been booked or nothing and it’s just an absolute disgrace really, but I suppose they’ve got small minds.”

Stand-in goalkeeper, defender Daniel Baverstock, was Norton’s hero, saving two penalties from Brendon Cass and Lee Winfield’s re-take as two goals from Ashley Baverstock (who was later sent off) and Jack Goodger heaped the pressure on Hythe Town going into the final week of the season.

Hythe welcome Beckenham Town to Reachfields Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday with a two point lead over Herne Bay, who face a tricky home game against Holmesdale.

Beckenham ended their miserable run of four games without a win with a 6-0 home win over Corinthian yesterday and will want to have a major say in the title race.

Herne Bay claimed a convincing 3-0 win at Fisher yesterday, but Holmesdale and VCD Athletic will not lie down.

Both title challenges are away from home on the final day of the season, on Saturday. 

Hythe will be looking to celebrate promotion into the Ryman League at Tunbridge Wells, whilst Herne Bay travel to VCD Athletic, who will complete their campaign with a creditable third-place finish.

Reflecting on the game, Taylor said, “I knew we were going to do them to be honest.  For a side at the top of the table they were really slow at the back, they were awful at the back and Ashley and Jack destroyed them to be honest.

”We could’ve had three or four more to be honest.  

”They didn’t even deserve a goal, a lack of concentration from a corner (allowing Cass to score).  They didn’t even look like scoring. 

”Daniel Baverstock, who is our centre half, went in goal because our keeper was working and the other one is injured.

”He saved the first penalty and the ref made them take it again and they changed penalty takers and Daniels’s saved it again so it just summed it up.  I’m well happy.  Jack scored and it made me celebrate even more in front of their supporters – we really enjoyed it!”

Taylor added: ”All the Herne Bay players were standing there and watching and when I came off I said “that ones for you lot,” obviously the (Hythe) supporters were abusing me I changed my opinion a bit.

”I thought Herne bay supporters were bad, Christ.  I think I should ask the Kent League for an award for the Kent League’s most hated player because I need another trophy cabinet.  B****y hell mate, they were completely abusing me right in front of the kids.  I can’t believe what people are like sometimes.

”I think it’s undeserved.  We’re no angels, I’m not saying we are, we have never been, but our supporters’ never abuse other teams, ever!

”I just can’t believe our reputation is bad.  They’ve got such a good reputation but the ladies were absolutely disgusting!”

Following their exploits against Hythe, Taylor revealed he will make five changes for Monday’s game against Kent Senior Trophy winners, Erith Town.

”We’ll have a changed team as we’ve had too many games lately so I’ll rest a few players,” said Taylor.

”I’ll rest five players from Friday.  I still want to win but I’m not going to kill the players, they’re absolutely shattered.  Jack (Goodger) and Tony Clark in midfield were absolutely immense so they’ll play in the last game.”

When asked who he wants to clinch the Kent League title, Taylor said, “As you know, I’ve openly stated, I want Hythe to win it.  I don’t know now.  I’d like Hythe.  I like the players and I’ve got a lot of time for the players.  After the game they stayed for an hour and a half and had a little chat and supported me like that but the supporters’ were just a joke.

”I want Hythe to win it really as I like them but the fans are an absolute disgrace.”

Taylor said that he doesn’t read the Kent League fans’ forum.

”I don’t go on there mate.  I get phone calls now and then saying I’ve been abused again.  What’s happened this time? Have I been ribbed? What badly?  I should get an award for it!”

Visit Norton Sports’ website: www.webteams.co.uk/Home.aspx?team=nortonsportsfc 

Norton Sports  v  Erith Town
Safety Net Associates Kent League
Easter Monday 25^th April 2011
Kick Off 1:00pm
At Woodstock Park, Broadoak Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME3 8AG