Kentish Football 
Soccer Shorts: Ebbsfleet goalkeeper Preston Edwards called up into England squad
Friday 08th October 2010
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EBBSFLEET UNITED goalkeeper Preston Edwards has taken only 10 league games to be noticed by the England C management.
The 21-year-old ex-Millwall and Grays player, who joined the Fleet in July to fill the boots of Lance Cronin, will be part of the England contingency squad to play Estonia next week.
The International Challenge Trophy Group B game will take place on Tuesday, October 12, kick-off 2.00pm GMT, at the Kadriorg Stadium, Tallinn.
Alfreton Town goalkeeper Patrick Gamble is expected to start following withdrawal of regular number one Dale Roberts of Rushden & Diamonds.
The FA have assured the club that Preston will be released for club duty should the Fleet be involved in an FA Cup replay against Ryman League Division One North highflyers Needham Market.
He becomes the second Fleet keeper to graduate to the national squad following Cronin's regular berth as England C goalkeeper during his time at Stonebridge Road.
WELLING UNITED’S five-point deduction has been formalised, meaning the Fleet move up a place to fifth in the Blue Square Bet South table.
Meanwhile, the Wings confirmed this week that their hopes to play a money raising friendly against top-flight opposition have been dashed.
But the financially crippled Kent club did issue a statement this week and are hopeful that a takeover bid will be completed soon.
“Following further discussion with the prospective investors negotiations are at an advanced stage and we hope to be able to give an update in the next few days,” a statement said on www.wellingunited.com.
“Despite our efforts we have been unable to confirm any friendly fixture for either this week or next week, but we will continue to explore the possibility.”
Meanwhile, the proposed Stuart White benefit match postponed at Ashford last Friday has still to be re-arranged and we await further information from Tony Reynolds.
MARGATE welcome Horsham to Hartsdown Park tomorrow and boss Iain O’Connell wants to get last Tuesday’s home defeat to Tonbridge Angels out of their system.
The Hornets currently sit inside the relegation zone but did record their first home win of the season with a 1-0 midweek victory over Tooting and Mitcham at Gorings Mead.
One name in the Horsham squad that Gate supporters will recognise is Allan Tait. The former Deal Town, Folkestone Invicta, Crawley Town and Dartford striker had signed for Margate during the pre-season but left by mutual consent before the start of the league campaign, subsequently signing for the Hornets.
He has made eight appearances for the West Sussex side, scoring once and was an unused substitute for the match with Tooting and Mitcham.
Margate go into this match in 14th pace in the table, having lost their midweek Kent derby clash with Tonbridge Angels by a goal to nil at Hartsdown.
O’Connell bemoaned his side’s lack of passion in that game; something the manager himself was never short of as a player, so look out for an up-tempo start by the Blues against Horsham.
James Pinnock is set to miss the Hornet’s visit with a reoccurrence of a groin problem that forced him off just before half time against Tonbridge. Ishmail Kamara is an option but he has struggled to maintain his match fitness so far this season which could mean that the Blues’ boss opts to go with a similar formation as deployed in the Angels match, with Dean Grant drafted in to replace Pinnock.
Gate will need to ensure that there is better link up play through midfield to provide more service and support for striker Shaun Welford if they are to get back to wining ways.
WHITSTABLE TOWN manager Mark Lane likened his growing injury list to that of Emergency Ward 10, everywhere you look players are either on their way back or long term injuries.
However, Lane confirms that Jim Sherman has signed Ryman League forms for Whitstable, following his recent release from Margate.
Lane confirmed he has been keen to sign Sherman for a number of weeks, saying “at least he is a Town player.”
Whitstable travel to fellow Ryman League Division One South strugglers Walton & Hersham tomorrow, without Kieron Morris (groin strain), Adam Douglas (sprained ankle), Gary Sayer (hamstring/knee), Sam Denly (calf), Alex Hossick (long-term back problem), Joe Hitchings (knee), Louis Smith (hamstring) and Steven Lloyd (bruised knee).
HERNE BAY have lost the services of goalkeeper Steve Northwood, who has signed for Ryman League Division One South side Whyteleafe.
The former Thamesmead Town stopper spent five weeks at Winch’s Field, but manager Simon Halsey always said the Dartford based goalkeeper would return to the Ryman League if an offer came in for him.
Halsey told www.hernebayfc.net : “Steve has always been on an understanding that as soon as a higher level club came in for him he would move on.
“In addition our own Dan Eason is ready to return to first team duty. Steve has given Bay great service in our hour of need and has performed brilliantly between the sticks.
“We will be eternally grateful for his work with the club. I'm sure that if he chose to return to the club he would be welcomed back with open arms.”
NORTON SPORTS have confirmed that Harry Goodyer has played his last game for the club as he will be relocating to Newbury.
A statement issued by the Kent League club, who returned home to their ground at Sittingbourne last week, said: “The club wish Harry the best of luck in his new life there and thank him for his contributions over many seasons. He will be greatly missed.”
Meanwhile, winger Ryan Rook, who spent pre-season on trial at Ryman Premier League side Tonbridge Angels, has turned down a seven-day approach from Kent League title favourites Hythe Town.
SEVENOAKS TOWN, meanwhile, handed former Cray Wanderers midfielder Tommy Tyne his debut during their 3-1 defeat at Norton Sports last weekend.
TUNBRIDGE WELLS have confirmed their Kent League clash against Sporting Bengal United on Saturday, 16th October, will be FREE ADMISSION to all supporters.
“As part of the club’s Civic Day, anyone wishing to attend the game against Sporting Bengal can do so, free of charge,” club spokesman Phil Allcorn told www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk.
He added: “Please bring as many of your friends and family along to the game as possible and we really hope you enjoy your day.”
VCD ATHLETIC manager Ricky Bennett has been named the Safety Net Kent League manager of the month for August and September after an impressive start to his managerial career.
The Crayford based side have remained unbeaten in league action during the first two months of the campaign.
Bennett, who guided VCD's second string to the Division 1 and 2 Cup final last season, has bagged four wins and two draws in his first six games in charge at Oakwood.
The victories included a 3-2 opening day success over Hythe, a win at Lordswood and home wins against Corinthian and Sporting Bengal.
VCD have also drawn against Herne Bay and Norton. They also won through one round in the FA Cup.
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