My players have set the bar for work-rate and desire, says Larkin

Friday 09th April 2010

TUNBRIDGE WELLS boss Martin Larkin has challenged his side to replicate the passion that they showed against local-rivals Sevenoaks Town - against Greenwich Borough tomorrow, writes Stephen McCartney.

Larkin sent his troops out ready to battle with a motivational pre-match team talk and his words were still ringing in their ears when retuning striker Danny Powell latched onto a mistake from Sevenoaks left-back Michael Cook to hook Tunbridge Wells into a 16th minute lead.

Sevenoaks levelled through winger Chris Walker, who was left unmarked at the far post to head home Joe Minter’s cross but Andy McMath converted a late penalty to hand the Wells a deserved three points to leapfrog over Holmesdale into eleventh place in the Bulmers Cider Kent League table.

The test for Larkin and his players is to put in the same shift against a Greenwich Borough side that are in fourth place and have a Kent Senior Trophy final against champions-elect Faversham Town to look forward to at Welling United’s Park View Road ground on Sunday week.

“They’ve set the bar for work-rate and desire and in recent times this year they’ve not put that consistent run together,” Larkin told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“Now we need to do that. If we can re-create Thursday night on a Saturday, it’s unfortunate it’s in 48 hours time. It’s the balance really we’d either still be on a high from today or we’ll be tired so we may freshen up things a little bit.”

Perry Spackman missed the game against his former side as “before the game he got caught in the traffic on the M25 so he couldn’t make it,” and the defender will be added to the squad for the visit of Greenwich Borough - who are the highest placed amateur side in the Kent League.

“Greenwich Borough was our best performance we’ve had all year,” Larkin recalled their 3-1 win at Oakley Road last November.

“We were superb that afternoon so if we an re-create that again and push on and take advantage of them maybe looking forward to their Cup Final and make sure we pounce on them.

Larkin then takes his side to Winch’s Field to tackle ninth-placed side Norton Sports, before travelling to Holmesdale (17th April) and finishing their campaign at home to Erith & Belvedere seven days later.

“Saturday will be the key, if we can get a result on Saturday, that will kick us on,” added Larkin.

“We owe Norton and Erith & Belvedere are in the places above us so if we can catch them it takes us tenth, which is what we’re after.

“All the games are winnable. We’ve got the momentum now. The lads are a little bit tired but we can push on and drive on and we’ll be fine.”

Visit Tunbridge Wells’ website: www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk

Tunbridge Wells v Greenwich Borough

Bulmers Cider Kent League

Saturday 10th April 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Culverden Stadium, Culverden Down, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 0HS