It's nice to get off to a good start, says Erith & Belvedere boss Micky Collins

ERITH & BELVEDERE manager Micky Collins says he will be working with a large squad as he bids to clinch the Kent Hurlimann Football League title this season.



The Deres finished runners-up to Herne Bay last time out and are favourites to go one better next April.

They got their new campaign off to a good start on Saturday after they came away from newly-promoted Rochester United with a 3-0 win, courtesy of goals from Jamie Wood, Richard Davies and summer signing, Richmond Kissi.

Collins, speaking to the club’s website www.erithandbelvedere-fc.co.uk, said: “Pre-season has been and gone, anticipation is high after finishing runners-up in the League last term – could we go one better this term?

“We have signed 22 players in the squad ready for the start of the season. I firmly believe we need to work with this number to have strength in depth to challenge this time round.

“Last season’s champions Herne Bay had a squad of 24 which certainly helps when you have injuries, suspensions, holidays etc.

“It means the sixteen for each game should be strong every week.  As manager I’m fully aware it will be difficult to keep all 22 happy but it’s a good problem to have.”

Reflecting on their win over the inaugural Kent Invicta League, Kent Invicta Challenge Trophy and Kent Invicta League Challenge Shield winners, Collins said: “I thought we should have wrapped the game up a lot earlier than we did but goals from Jamie Wood, Richie Davies and one from summer signing on his debut Richmond Kissi sealed the points.

“It’s nice to get off to a good start but as everyone knows the League has never been won in August – there’s an awful lot of football to be played between now and April.”

Erith & Belvedere welcome Tony Sitford’s Corinthian to Park View Road on Tuesday night and Collins revealed former Erith Town terrier midfielder Lee Morgan is fit again following a lengthy injury.

Collins’ summer signings, Michal Czanner, Drew Crush, Scott Whibley, Lewis Mingle, Carl Cornell (all Tunbridge Wells), Sam Phillips (Crowborough Athletic), Kissi (Sevenoaks Town) and Orlando Smith (Bromley) are all expected to be included in the squad to make their home debuts against a Corinthian side that finished in seventh-place and whom reached the Kent League Cup Final last season.

Corinthian opened their campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Lordswood at Gay Dawn Farm.

Visit Erith & Belvedere’s website: www.erithandbelvedere-fc.co.uk  

Erith & Belvedere  v Corinthian
Kent Hurlimann Football League
Tuesday 7^th August 2012
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY