Obviously, we know very little about St Peter but we expect a tough game, says Otford United boss Mike Langston

OTFORD UNITED manager Mike Langston says he is looking forward to facing Jersey based opposition tomorrow.

The O’s welcome St Peter in the Kent Reliance Intermediate Challenge Shield First Round – the first time that a team from Jersey will be playing in the competition.

“We are looking forward to St Peter from Jersey coming to Otford tomorrow, a good day for the club,” said Langston, whose side are in the eleventh-tier of English football.

“Obviously, we know very little about St Peter but we expect a tough game. 

“Their connections with Gillingham tells you they are going to be a well-organised side.  You don’t travel the distance they are without being confident of doing well in the Cup.”

Otford United clinched promotion under Ricky Tompkins last season and are finding life in the Andreas Carter Joma Kent County League Premier Division tough as they go into the Cup tie sitting at the foot of the table with one point from five games.

“Our place in the table is disappointing and although we have played well in periods, you can’t argue with our position, albeit we do have games in hand, it’s a very long season,” said Langston.

“I have strengthened the squad and really pleased to welcome back the likes of Justin Lee and Sam Truman who return from Gravesham Borough and with the addition of a few more players, we are more than confident for tomorrow but as I said they are an unknown entity.

“Let’s hope for a good result and good day for Otford United Football Club.”

St Peter, meanwhile, have been looking for opportunities to play in competitions on the mainline having played in the Dorset Cup previously and successfully applied to the Kent FA.

In an interview with Andrew Gidley, published on  www.kentcountyfootballleague.co.uk, St Peter manager Gary Freeman said: “Our junior president Brian Fousler has got good connections with both Gillingham and Darren Hare (appointed first team coach at National League club Maidstone United this week), who has been over to do a session with us.

“We are always looking at ways to move forward and we feel this is a great opportunity for our players to test themselves against UK opposition.

“We have a good, young squad including lads coming up from last year’s successful under 18 team.

“We feel a further challenge in a UK competition will stimulate further interest and competition within our squad.

“I firmly believe our best players need to be challenged and I am grateful to the club’s committee for supporting the management’s aims and ambition.

“We are not sure what we are going into, but it is a nice challenge – we should be ok.”

Otford United  v  St Peter
Kent Reliance Intermediate Challenge Shield First Round
Saturday 23^rd September 2017
Kick Off 2:15pm
at Otford Recreation Ground, Off High Street, Otford, Kent TN14 5PG