It's a two-year plan to be challenging or the title, says Canterbury City boss Simon Austin

CANTERBURY CITY player-manager Simon Austin says it’s going to take time to turn the club into a potential Kent League title winner.

The striker played an eight-minute cameo role at the end of his side’s 2-1 win over Fisher in the FA Carlsberg Vase Second Qualifying Round at Champion Hill Stadium yesterday.

Canterbury City took the lead through Alex Nelson’s 20-yard screaming volley in the 34^th minute before Fisher debutant Huseyin Budak headed home following a near post corner from substitute Damien Ramsamy early in the second half.

The Second Qualifying Round tie was heading towards extra time before Canterbury City skipper Kane Rice, 23, brought back memories of THAT David Beckham goal for Manchester United against Wimbledon keeper Neil Sullivan back in 1996, when he picked up the ball on the right and looked up and lobbed Fisher keeper Danny Firkins to score from 50-yards to snatch £700 in prize money (£1,200 in total from their run so far) and book a trip to Frimley Green in the First Round on 13 October.

Canterbury City have only featured in the First Round once before – back in 1999 when they lost 1-0 at home to Northwood.

And Austin wants his side to enjoy a good run in the competition.

He said: I’m lucky enough to have a few good Cup runs in my time.  At Horsham we played Swansea twice (in the FA Cup) on SKY, which was fantastic and I’ve bored the boys to death with the stories!

“But it really is for players at our level their World Cup Finals really so the boys want to do it for themselves.”

Canterbury City are in tenth-place in the Kent League table, with a record of two wins and three draws from their opening seven games.

Austin takes his side to Erith Town next Saturday.  The Dockers celebrated Erith & Belvedere’s first league defeat of the season yesterday as it meant they stayed at the summit with six wins and a draw from their first seven games.

Micky Collins’ side would have leapfrogged over Tony Russell’s side had they collected at least a point against the Surrey side, but they crashed to a 2-1 home defeat at Park View Road.

Erith Town have conceded only one goal in the league this season and Austin is expecting a tough game.

He said: “They’re top, deservedly so.  Tony and Ray (Powell) have got them playing some great football. I’ve watched them once this year and it’s our toughest game yet. 

“They’re the team that can go on and win the league!”

When asked how long it will take for Canterbury City to be challenging for the title, Austin replied, “I’ve been given a two-year plan so I’ll tell you that this time next season!

“I’m new to this role, I’m learning.  I’ve said it already we’ve made huge changes in the squad and generally it’s going to take time.  Everyone involved in football knows that but it’s a two-year plan to be challenging for the title. In two years’ time I firmly believe we’re well on our way to that.

When asked what he has learnt in what is his first managerial role, Austin replied, “I’ve learnt that there’s no easy games. Anyone can beat anyone on their day. I’ve learn that the pitches don’t always suit how we want to play and what my philosophy of football is so that has to be adapted.

“The fans’ aren’t going to like it and people aren’t going to like it but I’d rather win 1-0 and play a certain way than play lovely, passing football and lose 3-0.”

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

Erith Town  v  Canterbury City
Kent Hurlimann Football League
Saturday 22^nd September 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Erith Stadium, Avenue Road, Erith, Kent DA8 3AJ