Kentish Football 
Soccer Shorts: Bromley Green are looking for ground alternatives, says manager Dave Smith
ASHFORD UNITED boss Paul Chambers is not getting carried away despite the league table looking all the more rosy for the Homelands outfit.
The only way has been up since December and the team have strung together a run of eight wins in 10 games.
The latest success came against Orpington on Saturday – a 4-1 win thanks to strikes from Mo Takaloo (2), Aaron Firth and Lee Coburn – helping Ashford rack up 33 goals in their last 10 outings.
They go into tomorrow’s game against Lewisham Borough at Homelands (3pm) in fine form.
Chambers told www.ashfordunited.co.uk: “I’ve always said we’ll keep doing what we’re doing and see where it gets us
“Bridon Ropes got beat on Saturday, which has helped us, and there are still 24 points to play for. At the end of the day we just have to keep focused on ourselves. There’s no point worrying about anyone else.
“Lewisham Borough are no mugs and they’ve done all right this season. We beat them at their place 2-1 but it was struggle. They gave us a good game and we’ll have to be at our best again.
“We’ll work hard in the week and prepare ourselves right. We have pretty much a fully-fit squad and no-one’s suspended which is a boost.”
Ashford United sit in fifth-place in the Kent Invicta League table, with Lewisham Borough a place below them.
Chambers is looking for his side to carry on where they left off against Orpington.
He said: “In the second half we were much better than the first and that’s what we have to play like. Orpington are a good side to be fair and I can’t see how they’re bottom of the league. They beat Erith & Dartford 8-1 the week before so we knew they had a bit about them.
“The first half was a bit of a battle and we weren’t at our best. We went in at half-time at 1-1 and we got them firing after the break.
“I had a polite word with them to do better, highlighted a few things and the lads reacted tremendously.
“Ollie Finch and Liam Whiting were superb all game, as was Tom Scorer. He’s had a great last couple of games and is looking really good now. It’s good to bang in another four goals as we are bagging plenty at the minute. “Tak (Mo Takaloo) came back and he got another two and we have missed him as he scores goals for fun.”
The manager also paid tribute to his team’s fitness as they made Orpington toil as the game wore on.
He said: “We do look a fit side and the players have worked hard on that. All credit should go to them as they have put in the graft.”
BROMLEY GREEN manager Dave Smith says the outcome of tomorrow’s home showdown with Eltham Palace will not settle the Haart of Kent County League Premier Division title race.
The Ashford based side are at the summit with 48 points from 19 games, while Eltham Palace sit in fourth-place with 36 points, although they do have four games in hand.
“I expect a close game between two good football sides, “ said Smith, 50, who played and managed Lydd Town before joining Bromley Green.
“A draw would suit us better looking at the remaining fixtures for both sides, but we will be setting out an attacking side to get the win.
“Win or lose for either side will not see them out of the race. It will just be an advantage at this stage of the season.”
When asked whether the club, who play at Waterside, Turner Close, off Newtown Road, South Willesborough, Ashford, have applied to join the Kent Invicta League next season, Smith replied, “Yes, we have applied but our ground will not pass the grading, so we are looking at alternatives.”
CHATHAM TOWN boss Kevin Watson says he will not underestimate two struggling sides when they arrive at Maidstone Road this week.
The Medway side sit in a disappointing fourteenth-place in the Ryman League Division One North table, with 40 points from 31 games.
They welcome second-from-bottom side Ware tomorrow, whilst third-from-bottom side Great Wakering Rovers visit next Tuesday.
Both sides are desperate for points and Watson knows both games will be tough, but goalkeeper Tony Kessell is pushing for a place in the squad after playing for the reserves last weekend.
Watson told www.chathamtownfc.net: “We can’t be naïve to believe that just because Ware and Great Wakering are in the bottom three we have a divine right to win both the games.
“We will focus completely on our game, that said and we’ll concentrate on what we have to do to get the points.
“We’re not a team who beats the teams below us and loses to the one above us, but we’re always analysing our performances.”
Watson added: “We’re looking forward to having everyone available and involved this week. Tony Kessell went and played for the reserves on Saturday in order to get some game time under his belt.”
CRAY VALLEY (Paper Mills) manager Steve Chapman admits to knowing nothing about tomorrow’s opponents at Badgers Sports Ground, Lordswood.
Jason Lillis brings his side to Eltham for a Kent Hurlimann Football League fixture sitting one place below Chapman’s side in 12th place.
Chapman said: “Another tough game for us. We haven’t played Lordswood yet this season, so I know absolutely nothing about them!
“Sometimes though that can be an advantage as we can just play our own game. We have a few injury problems. Steve Springett is definitely out with a torn calf and skipper Jamie Miller is only 50-50.
“I’m expecting a tight game and I don’t think there will be many goals. The way both teams have been playing lately the odd goal might win it for either side.”
Chapman hopes one of his players will grab his eighth goal of the season.
He added: “Of course, my money is on us with Luke Tanner scoring the first goal!”
DARTFORD hat-trick hero Danny Harris, who almost missed the game against Basingstoke Town because of an accountancy exam on Monday, wants three points at Tonbridge Angels tomorrow.
Harris’ hat-trick helped Dartford to a 4-1 win, which closes the gap between them and Blue Square Bet South leaders Woking to just nine points, with a game in hand.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA will hold its Annual General Meeting, starting promptly at 7:00pm on Monday 12 March in Stripes.
It is important to note that the AGM can only be attended by registered shareholders.
A shareholders plus supporters meeting will follow immediately after the AGM and the club expect this to commence no later than 7:30pm.
Meanwhile, the club would like to remind supporters that they have reduced admission charges for their home game against Walton Casuals next Wednesday to £4 (adults) and £2 (concessions).
HORSHAM have parted company with manager Hugo Langton this week. The former Gillingham Ladies, Rusthall, Holmesdale, Ashford United and Thamesmead Town coach took over from Justin Luchford last October, but couldn’t guide the club off the foot of the Ryman Premier League table.
Former Redhill boss Simon Colbran has been unveiled as the west Sussex club’s third manager of the season.
A statement from Horsham’s chairman Kevin Borrett, which was published on their club website www.hornetsreview.co.uk: “I am immensely grateful to Hugo for his passion and commitment to the club throughout the season for his willingness to take the helm and succeed Justin Luchford after he left in October last year.
“Hugo has worked tirelessly hard coaching and expanding the squad as well as placing a strong emphasis on improved fitness levels.
“However, the club has failed to record a Ryman League win in nineteen outings during his period in charge and, by his own admission last weekend, now finds itself at a crossroads.
“As the club prepares for next season, when it is expected to be competing at Ryman South level, the decision to appoint someone more local and with proven experience and a track record was compelling.
“On behalf of all at the club I wish Hugo well, both in his ambitions for a career in football management and his own football coaching business.”
VCD ATHLETIC manager Ricky Bennett takes his side to Canterbury City tomorrow to put pressure on their landlords Herne Bay.
The Crayford outfit will remain in second place in the Kent Hurlimann Football League table with victory at Winch’s Field tomorrow and if they do then they will close the gap on Herne Bay to eight points with both clubs having 30 points to play for.
“At the moment we are going well in the league and have won our last six on the bounce so we will be looking to extend that winning run on Saturday,” said Bennett.
“However, I know it will be a very difficult game as Canterbury are a decent side with a decent manager and some very experienced players in their squad.”
Paul Murray’s side have slipped down to seventh place in the league table and Bennett said: “Paul knows the game and has had a good season so far, having led his team to top of the league for a while earlier on in the season.
“When we played them at our place back in September it was a very hard game where we just edged it, so we need to go there and be very solid, organised and disciplined, play the pitch correctly down there and focus on our jobs and targets then hopefully some of the individual talent which we have in the squad will make the difference on the day.”
WELLING UNITED player-manager Jamie Day says he wants to bounce back from their surprise away defeat at Staines Town last Monday, which followed a heroic 1-0 win at Dover Athletic last weekend.
The Wings face their Kent rivals Bromley, who have increased their chances of avoiding relegation by increasing their playing budget and bringing some quality players to Hayes Lane in recent weeks.
Day, who was speaking on the eve of the Park View Road clash, said: “After a disappointing performance on Monday we need to bounce back against a Bromley side who have made some good signings and really picked up their form in the last month.
“I think they are four unbeaten so it’s going to be a really tough game and if we don’t perform to our best we will get beat.”
The Wings are in third-place in the Blue Square Bet South table and are one of four clubs that have consolidated themselves in the play-off spots.
Day added: “We have a very tough month coming up and need to start it well if we are to stay in the play-offs.”
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