KENT SENIOR TROPHY FINAL: The pitch ruined our passing game, rages Hughes - EXCLUSIVE

BECKENHAM TOWN assistant manager Billy Hughes says the pitch and two red cards conspired against his side as they lost 2-0 to local rivals Thamesmead Town in the Kent Senior Trophy Final today, writes Stephen McCartney.

Things didn’t start well as their goalkeeper Grant Hall was shown a straight red card with only 50 SECONDS on the clock, bringing down Mead striker Richard Dimmock a yard outside of his penalty area.

Defender John Maloney followed in the 32^nd minute for a sliding, yet crunching tackle on Mead skipper James Brown, who was left with a shocking gash on his lower back/backside as the pair slid in to contest a ball in midfield.

First half goals from Pedro Knight and Junior Baker ensured the silverware was heading back to Bayliss Avenue for the third time in six-years.

But for Beckenham, who were losing finalists to Thamesmead (2005) and Fisher Athletic back in 1982, the long wait for silverware continues.

The Eden Park Avenue were on course for a treble a few weeks back but a loss of form in the Kent League and a shock Kent League Cup semi-final exit at the hands of Erith Town has left the Eden Park Avenue outfit empty handed.

Although Beckenham dominated the second half they couldn't find a way past Mead goalkeeper Chris Conneally.

Hughes, speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk inside the home dressing room, gave his opinions on Hall’s red-card.

“From where I was sitting, I didn’t think Grant got a touch on him and Dimmo (Dimmock) went down a little bit easily,” he said.

“I did speak to Dimmo at half-time and he said he did touch him, otherwise he’d go round him (Hall).

“It’s a hard one to call. The conditions were terrible, it was hit or miss if the game should have been on.

“It depends what angle you was at to what view you got off it but from where I was it didn’t look like he got much on it.”

Reflecting on Maloney’s red-card horror challenge on Brown, Hughes criticised Gillingham referee Mr Paul Kelly.

“If you’re going to play the game with those conditions then you need to give a bit and as the ref didn’t give a bit, he refereed it as normal conditions out there,” he fumed.

“The ball kept stopping, people were losing their footing quite easily.

“It looked again, I’m not making excuses, if it was a straight red, it’s a straight red but it looked for me that they both went in side on, they looked, we’re both aggressive going into the same challenge.

“I thought it was harsh again, but I’m going to say that!

Last year’s final was played at Dartford’s Princes Park and Whitstable Town, who went on to secure promotion into the Ryman League, defeated a brave Bearsted side.

This year’s final returned to Blue Square South outfit Welling United and Hughes insisted that the cut-up pitch at Park View Road didn’t allow his slick and classy side to play their normal passing game.

“I thought we was the better side and (with) eleven men I don’t think that result (would have) remained the same,” said Hughes.

“If that was down at our ground we would have beaten Thamesmead today.

“We looked fitter, sharper, you could tell by the crowds reaction to us at the end, we’re a footballing side. We play football and I think we’re a better side than Thamesmead.

“They’ve beaten us 2-0, they’re top of the league and look like they’re going on and win the league so it’s sounds like a silly comment but we play the better football and on the day we’re a better side than Thamesmead.

“If just seems every time we play them we have one problem.”

Hughes challenges his side to end their Kent League campaign as runners-up - a consolation to a campaign that promised so much.

They end their campaign with home games against Erith & Belvedere (19^th April); Deal Town (22^nd April) and a trip to Lordswood on the last day of the season (26^th).

“From the outside and the way you’re probably going to write it, it’s going to seem like a bad season,” explained Hughes.

“But I put it to you like this, at the beginning of pre-season we had 40 people turn up down at Beckenham for a trial and this team never played with each other before. There’s only one player that was here from last year.

“So as far as I’m concerned to get to the fourth round of the London Cup, to get to the semi-final of one Cup (Kent League Cup) and the final of another (Kent Senior Trophy) and possibly there could be a runner-up medal for us, you never know?

“They’re all likeable blokes and if we can keep them here next year I think we can do something a lot better.”

Hughes revealed some positive news about their modest ground at Eden Park Avenue, which at this present time, isn’t up to Ryman League standard.

“There’s some news on that,” he said. “Our chairman’s looking at doing some work so fingers crossed on that.

“I just want to get this season out the way and if the builders come in after we finish then all well and good.

“If not we are a very good Kent League side and as a neutral you’d go away thinking you’ve spent your money wisely (watching us today) because we’re a decent side, we play football.”

Hughes, blaming the conditions for their downfall, added: “I did the warm-up and it ruined the day really because it would have been a lot better for the eye (if the game wasn’t played on a pitch that cut-up during the game).”

Visit Beckenham Town’s website: www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk