Kent Senior Cup is not my priority, says Hessenthaler

Sunday 24th January 2010

DOVER ATHLETIC boss Andy Hessenthaler says the Kent Senior Cup tie at Folkestone Invicta on Tuesday night is not on his list of priorities, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Whites boss was left scratching his head as to how his side were defeated 2-0 at Woking at the weekend - a result which sees the club drop a place to third in the Blue Square South table.

And with a trip to Blue Square Premier leaders Stevenage Borough in the last sixteen of the FA Carlsberg Trophy to come next weekend, a county cup tie at Cheriton Road is low on the agenda.

“It’s good for the county, it’s the Kent Senior Cup, but it certainly won’t be my priority,” Hessenthaler told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“There’s a few players like Craig Cloke, who need a game, Dean Hill’s been out for three games but we have to be careful, obviously with the game at Stevenage on Saturday, we’ve got to protect a few players so there will be a mix of juniors and seniors.

“I won’t be there myself, I’ll be out looking for a game somewhere (but) it’s still a game where I want to go out and try to win.”

When asked whether he would pull out of the competition all together if given the chance, the 44-year-old replied, “We have to (play in it) at the moment, if I had any choice I wouldn’t. That’s not being disrespectful to the Kent Senior Cup.”

Like most Kent managers, Hessenthaler will make numerous changes, to play the Ryman League Division One South leaders in a cup competition that has lost it’s spark in recent years.

“There will be a number of changes, but the boys have had a tough few games on their travels, at Fleetwood and places like that and the pitches are getting heavier so it’s tough on the boys.

“There will be a mixed side, yes.”

Visit Dover Athletic’s website: www.doverathletic.com

Folkestone Invicta v Dover Athletic

Kent Senior Cup Second Round

Tuesday 26th January 2010

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent, CT19 5JU