It's been a remarkable season, says Jones

Wednesday 17th March 2010

SEVENOAKS TOWN boss Simon Jones says his side will not break into the top two of the Bulmers Cider Kent League - despite moving three points adrift of Herne Bay, writes Stephen McCartney.

Last night’s 1-0 win over local rivals Tunbridge Wells - courtesy of Bill Shinners’ 18th goal of a remarkable season for the Greatness Park club - has taken the club within touching distance of Herne Bay - but Jones, who was speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk says he will settle for third place.

Sevenoaks might have ended Simon Halsey’s side’s push for the Kent League title with a 2-0 win at Winch’s Field at the weekend, but when asked if Herne Bay can be overtaken, Jones replied, “No! No chance! They’ve got two games-in-hand and I still mean it, I said to you, they were the best footballing side we’ve played.

“I know we’ve beaten them at the weekend but I still go on with that - that I think as a footballing side they’re an excellent team - but I still see them pulling away from us.”

Jones added: “I would settle for third right now! Whether we finish there, who knows? We’ve still got almost a third of the season to play.”

Jones now prepares for the SIXTH meeting with Deal Town, when Derek Hares brings his side to Greatness Park on Saturday.

The two sides drew 2-2 in the league back in October , before sharing a 1-1 draw at Greatness Park in the first-leg of the Kent League Cup, before Sevenoaks progressed by winning the away leg 5-3.

The following week, Jones took his side to the Charles Sports Ground in the Kent Senior Trophy - but the game was abandoned when Josh Davidson broke his leg.

Two weeks later, Deal finished the job with a single-goal win, but Jones’ side go into Saturday’s game on the back of a seven-match unbeaten run.

“We have no idea how they’re going to play, do we?” joked the Sevenoaks boss.

“We’ve had a lot of games against Deal, they know how we play, we know how they play, we’re probably sick of the sight of each other!

“I’m sure like all the games that we play, it’ll be an entertaining game with lots of passion, played at a good pace and I’m quite looking forward to it.”

Sevenoaks return to Cup action next Tuesday when they travel to Eden Park Avenue in the second leg of the Bulmers Cider Kent League Cup.

Beckenham Town found goalkeeper Sean Funnell in fine form during the first leg, which ended 2-2, and appear to be favourites to meet Herne Bay in the Folkestone final in May.

But Jones said: “Ninety minutes of football, go and win a game! We’ve got ninety minutes of football, which will pay dividends if we perform on the evening. There will be a real shoot-out on the evening.

“We just have to approach it and win the game on the evening. If we go and win that game then the job’s done.

“Getting to the semi-final and spending a little bit of time third is a remarkable season for Sevenoaks, all things considered about the players. We’ve got guys that have stepped up a level that have been playing Sunday morning football at park level and now putting in performances at this level.

“I think we’ve walked a fine line and we’ve rode our luck at times. I must admit that, but this squad’s good!

“It’s credit to the players, they deserve it. Not me! They’ve earned it!”

Visit Sevenoaks Town’s website: www.sevenoakstownfc.org

Sevenoaks Town v Deal Town

Bulmers Cider Kent League

Saturday 20th March 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Greatness Park, Mill Lane, Seal Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 5AA