Referee's must stamp diving out off the game - Foley

Friday 19th March 2010

SEVENTH-PLACED VCD Athletic welcome champions-elect Lowestoft Town FC to Oakwood tomorrow in a mouth watering game that the club have been looking forward to since their close game at Crown Meadow back in November, writes Jeff Perkins.

That day a late second half penalty was awarded to the home side and the player's and management were furious with top scorer Matt Nolan for what appeared to be a blatant dive.

The home side went on to score a well worked goal later in the game to give the result a more flattering look with all associated with the Vickers disappointed to have come away with nothing from the game.

With some fine results recently recorded by the Vickers with back to back away victories at Redbridge and Cheshunt, VCD will be going into the game full of optimism and looking to settle the score.

VCD manager Paul Foley, who in only three seasons at the club has steered the perennial underachievers to second place in the Kent League, followed by the Kent League Championship and Kent Senior Trophy double and as high as fifth place in their debut season in the Ryman North, had this to say about the visit of Lowestoft Town, when speaking to www.vcd-athletic.co.uk.

“They are by far the best side we have played all season and their results and position back that up,” said Foley.

“Before we played them, Northwood, who we played first day of the season, were the best side we had played but Lowestoft are a proper outfit with very good players in key areas and a very good work ethic.

“We played pretty much the perfect away day game against them at theirs but were ultimately undone by a penalty that should never have been awarded.

“You might say the lad Nolan did well in having a dive in the box and the referee is to blame but I am not a fan of that type of play, goes against my football principles really.

“When you have done all that you can on the pitch and the lads have put in a massive effort to get at least a draw against a side who are far too good for this league, it is more than a little frustrating to be undone by something like that.

“But, until referees clamp down on players like that, and he was at it all game that day, they will continue to look for free kicks and penalties.

“I don't blame the players, I blame the referees as they need to be strong in those situations. I just hope tomorrow is about football, not the referee and about two honest footballing sides trying to beat each other the right way.

“We will be giving it a real go and hopefully there should be a decent crowd, I think Aaron Firth alone has 50 people coming along!

“If we lose fair and square then there is no argument this time but they will be in for a game I reckon as the lads will be looking to put the last game right.”

With teenage striker Uche Ibemere in hot form with 3 goals from his last two games, the last of which being talked about by everyone at VCD (a stunning solo run and goal beating three players), and the returning Anthony Hogg, Kevin Winchcombe and Jack Bradshaw all available once more the Vickers are back to full strength.

Long term injury Kane Rice has also been given the all clear to play again following the recent Arthroscopy operation on his right knee.

The following Thursday night at Oakwood (KO 7.45pm), VCD entertain another side chasing promotion against in form Northwood FC who were their opponents on their very first Ryman League game, eventually going down 2-0 to two late goals.

That day it could have been very different too as Ibemere had hit the bar only minutes before the second goal.

As manager Paul Foley has stated above they were considered to be the best side VCD had faced (behind Lowestoft) so these two games this week could be a very good indicator of how the club has progressed this season as they look to finish the season strongly.

Article courtesy of www.vcd-athletic.co.uk

VCD Athletic v Lowestoft Town

Ryman League Division One North

Saturday 20th March 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Oakwood, Old Road, Crayford, Kent DA1 4UN