It's really close to call, says VCD Athletic boss Ricky Bennett

VCD ATHLETIC boss Ricky Bennett says his players should be rewarded for reaching the Macron Kent League Cup Final by playing on a better playing surface.



Cray Valley (Paper Mills) have been chosen to stage the match against Corinthian on Monday – but Bennett said he would rather play the final somewhere else.

The Kent League Cup and Kent Senior Trophy Finals are normally held at either Welling United or Folkestone Invicta, but this season’s League Cup showpiece takes place in Eltham.

Bennett said:  “Disappointed from my point of view, it’s all about the players. It’s a reward for players after a long, hard season.  From our case we’ve beaten three very good sides to get to the final, Tunbridge Wells, Beckenham and Herne Bay and I think the players should be rewarded for the best playing surface available for a Cup Final.

“No disrespect to Cray Valley, there are plenty of better playing surfaces for a Cup Final, but I understand the logistics involved, but there you go, it’s something you have to get on with.”

Corinthian are competing in their first Kent League Cup Final, but Vickers have lifted the silverware just the once, then they beat Faversham Town in 2000.  The Crayford based club were runners-up in 1999 (Deal Town), 2003 (Cray Wanderers) and 2006 (Maidstone United).

Bennett said: “All the season’s hard work, it’s something that we deserve to be in to be honest.”

When asked whether his side are the favourites on Monday, Bennett replied, “No!  Not really!  If I’m honest, form over the last ten games hasn’t been good enough whereas Corinthian’s has been excellent so on form I would say they would be favourites in most people’s eyes, but we have beaten them twice on the season in the league so on that score you could say we were favourites.

“It’s one of them. It’s really close to call. Whoever is up for it the most on the day and uses their heads than the other side maybe will come through.

“It’s a tough one as well. We both try to play football.  No disrespect to Cray Valley, but the pitch isn’t the greatest.  We were there a few weeks back but we have to deal with that.  It’s out of our hands.

“We have to try and put out a game plan that’s going to be successful on the day.

“How will it be won?  I think form goes out of the window on a Cup Final. We know all about their strengths and weaknesses and I know Matt (Longhurst, Corinthian’s coach) will know the same about us.

“It can be a bit tactical at times, but it’s how much you want to win. How much you want to come out with the Cup at the end of the day.”

VCD Athletic finished their Kent League campaign in third place, with 58 points from 30 games,  ten points behind champions Herne Bay and level on points with runners-up Erith & Belvedere, who were deducted three points.

Reflecting on their league campaign, Bennett said: “A little bit disappointed if I’m honest.  Going back six or seven weeks’ ago I felt we were in with a shout in chasing Herne Bay because I was expecting them to have a wobble – which they did – but we had a wobble, which has cost us really.

“I’m pleased we finished third.  Disappointed we didn’t finish higher to be honest in the league this season.

“Herne Bay are a great side.  They’ve been together three years ish and they’ve proven every season that they’re a very, very good side and a side we’re all trying to emulate.

“We’ve done well against them though. We’ve got a great record against them this season and last season, but there you go. It’s about consistency over the whole of the season and they’re a lot better than us in that department.”

Bennett will be looking to do better than his reserve side after they went down to a 1-0 defeat to Herne Bay in the Kent League Reserve Division Cup at Corinthian’s Gay Dawn Farm ground on Friday evening.   Rob Lawrence scored the only goal of the game for Anthony Deer’s side.

Meanwhile, the Kent League have confirmed that both clubs will be in their change strip on Monday, due to the fact that both club’s play in green and white hooped shirts.  VCD Athletic will wear a blue strip and Corinthian will change into yellow shirts.

Visit VCD Athletic’s website: www.vcdathletic.co.uk

VCD Athletic  v  Corinthian
Macron Kent League Cup Final
Bank Holiday Monday 7 May 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Badgers Sports Ground, Middle Park Avenue, Eltham, London SE9 5HT