It's up to my players to play themselves into my Cup Final plans, says Jones

Friday 09th April 2010

SEVENOAKS TOWN manager Simon Jones says he wants his side to bounce back from their three-game losing streak at Beckenham Town tomorrow, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Oaks boss admitted his side lacked passion and desire against a pumped-up Tunbridge Wells side at Culverden Stadium last night, going down to a 2-1 defeat.

Chris Walker’s header had cancelled out Danny Powell’s first half strike (following a mistake from left-back Michael Cook), but Jamie Johnson pulled back Tom Davey inside the box and Andy McMath tucked home a late winner to send Sevenoaks back up the A21 pointless.

Sevenoaks travel to Beckenham Town tomorrow before a trip to champions-elect Faversham Town next Tuesday before welcoming Fisher to Greatness Park two night’s later and finish off with games against Erith Town (17 April), Norton Sports (20th) and a trip to Hythe Town (22nd).

Then they face a break before locking horns with Herne Bay in the final of the Bulmers Cider Kent League Cup at Folkestone Invicta’ Cheriton Road ground on Monday, 3rd May.

Reflecting on his side’s current poor run of form, Jones told www.kentishfootball.co.uk last night that games are taking their toll.

“You have to put it into perspective,” he said. “There was the game immediately before the second leg of the semi-final, where attention was elsewhere; then there was the game immediately after the semi-final, where we were dead on our legs anyway - 120 minutes and all of the emotions and all of that; and then we’ve had a bit of a blip here.

“We’re not firing on all cylinders, so yes, I agree, three defeats, that’s disappointing and there’s all many reasons why we can blame circumstances but we just have to go to Beckenham on Saturday and try to put an end to this run.”

Last night’s game was played on an “energy zapping” pitch at Culverden Stadium, but Sevenoaks will be playing on a carpet at Eden Park Avenue tomorrow.

“We were concerned that this was going to be a very heavy pitch, that zapped the energy out of the guys and now we’re going to play on a track that’s a million miles away from what we’ve just played on, at Beckenham.

“We set them tonight to play on that surface and go to Beckenham to play on a totally different track with a totally different attitude that we displayed on the pitch so it’s just how well we react. It’s a good test of character for the players and certainly for the management.

“It’s a good view to see who has the attitude, desire and passion to play in the Cup Final. We want to make sure people aren’t holding back, thinking that their going through the motions. We have to make sure they become inspired for the next six games, with a golden carrot at the end of it.”

Jones tells his players that not a single name has been pencilled in for the Kent League Cup Final against Herne Bay on 3rd May.

The Jones family are spending that weekend at their sons football tournament in Bournemouth and will be driving to Folkestone on the morning of the final.

“It’s up to the players to play themselves into my plans, it’s as simple as that,” said the boss.

“There will be some players thinking that they have a good shout but not playing well. There’s not a single name on that team-sheet and in fact I’m not looking even looking at that game. I want to see whose got the desire for Beckenham, Faversham, Fisher, Erith Town, Norton and Hythe.”

Faversham Town are just two wins away from clinching the Kent League title - they can do so with a win over Sevenoaks at Salters Lane next Tuesday.

Jones added: “It will be an interesting game. That will be a good measure for us. We’ll have players back from suspension, Danny Ward will be back but he’s walking a fine lone so we have to work out how we play that going forward.

“They played a very direct style at Sevenoaks and beat us 3-0. But at times we can play very direct. I think we’ve been criticised for it but it got us results at the right times so we’ll just have to wait and see.”

Sevenoaks have slipped down from third in the table into sixth place but Jones hasn’t changed the aspirations that he set himself back in August.

He said: “Anywhere above tenth, that was the objective. Anything about tenth and I’m still sticking by that. I’m not re-assessing objectives or anything like that because any time when you set objectives with this run of games would be totally foolhardy.

“All it takes two or three injuries and we’ve got a totally different team so for me anything above tenth is my objective and I’m sticking by it.”

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

Beckenham Town v Sevenoaks Town

Bulmers Cider Kent League

Saturday 10th April 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Eden Park Avenue, Beckenham, Kent BR3 1JT