Soccer Shorts: Former Southend boss Steve Tilson joins Dover Athletic as cover

Friday 13th August 2010

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EBBSFLEET UNITED boss Liam Daish has added more players to his already strong squad, ahead of the club’s opening Blue Square Bet South campaign tomorrow.

Nineteen-year-old forward Joe Benjamin adds attacking options for the Fleet boss, joining the club after being released by Northampton Town.

Benjamin spent part of last season on loan at Eastbourne Borough, scoring against the Fleet at Stonebridge Road.

Meanwhile Joe Hagan steps up from the productive Ebbsfleet youth system to be back-up to goalkeeper Preston Edwards.

In other news, Daish, who has said that he is going for promotion this season, has confirmed Paul Lorraine as club captain.

Joining after successful trials at the club are former Gillingham and Bromley midfielder, Ashley Carew, aged 24, and forward Tyron Sealey, formerly of Stevenage, Hitchin, Slough and tomorrow’s opponents Maidenhead United.

Returning to Stonebridge Road is 21-year-old former Gillingham and Maidstone United midfielder Craig Stone, who has now fully recovered from the broken leg he sustained in an FA Trophy quarter-final at Wrexham in February 2009.

WELLING UNITED player-manager Jamie Day confirmed that Loick Pires will miss the start of the new Blue Square Bet South season.

Pires is expected to be out for 3 weeks with a swollen knee. The midfielder joins Lee Clarke on the injury list.

DARTFORD manager Tony Burman has, this morning, announced his captain and vice-captain for the coming season.

Midfielder Elliot Bradbrook has been unveiled as captain with full-back Billy Burgess announced as vice-captain.

DOVER ATHLETIC have completed the signings of midfielder Nicky Nicolau and winger Kane Rice (writes Matthew Clements).

Also joining the club, in a temporary coaching role, is former Southend manager Steve Tilson. He will be in the dugout to assist Martin Hayes on Saturday, as assistant manager Paul Joynes is away.

Nicolau spent last season at Woking and can play out wide or in central midfield. Having started his career at Arsenal, he played over 100 games in the Football League for Southend and Barnet.

Rice is a skilful left winger, who played for Whites against Margate on trial in pre-season. He represented the Republic of Ireland at under-17 level and has played in Kent for Maidstone and VCD.

Chairman Jim Parmenter told www.doverathletic.com: "We're delighted to welcome two talented players to the club. Martin is building a very good side, which we hope will entertain the supporters this season.

"We had a superb first season in Blue Square South but hope to go one better this time. Everyone knows it will be difficult, as there are a lot of good clubs in this division."

Steve Tilson is helping the club voluntarily and his role will be in a coaching capacity. Assistant boss Joynes has a family holiday pre-booked and is unavailable for the next couple of weeks. Therefore, Tilson will step in to the role temporarily, starting at Woking on Saturday.

Martin Hayes said: "Steve Tilson is a close friend of mine and he has kindly volunteered to help us in our training sessions over the next few weeks.

"This has come at the ideal time, as Paul is away for a short break, which was arranged before we came to the club. To have the benefit of Steve's experience and coaching ability will be valuable to us."

Tilson played 243 games for Southend and over 100 for Canvey Island, before returning to Roots Hall as manager in 2003. He stayed there for seven years, leading the club to consecutive promotions to the Championship by 2006, before departing last season.

Ahead of Whites' opening league game at Woking, Hayes said: "The players are ready and raring to go on Saturday. I believe that we are one of about 10 clubs in with a shout of going up automatically or via the play-offs.

"It was a superb achievement to finish runners up last season in the club's first year at this level. It might be even tougher this year with the likes of Dartford, Ebbsfleet and Farnborough joining us.

"Farnborough have invested well in their squad. I know their manager, Steve King, who is doing a cracking job there. They have players with Conference experience and will be strong contenders.

"I see Havant as the favourites. They have bought well this summer and have strength in depth in their squad. There are several clubs with bigger wage bills than ours but hopefully we will give them all a run for their money."

Meanwhile, defender Jackson Ohakam's signing has been delayed due to personal circumstances. The club hope to welcome him back to Perrys Crabble soon.

MARGATE has announced that Allan Tait's contract for the coming seaosn has been cancelled by mutual consent.

Tait joined the Hartsdown Park this summer after helping Dartford clinch the Ryman Premier League title last season, although his appearances in his one and only season at Princes Park were restricted through injury.

TONBRIDGE ANGELS have confirmed striker Jay May, who was at the club towards the end of last season, has signed after he was released by Croydon Athletic.

He replaces Meshach Nugent, who hasn’t been able to feature in pre-season, due to work commitments.

One player who isn’t going to be playing for the club again was trialist Joe Vines, the former Bromley, Cray Wanderers and Tooting & Mitcham United defender, who has signed for Blue Square Bet South side Farnborough.

RAMSGATE have announced newcomer Aaron Beech, who had already signed Ryman League forms for 2010/11, has now committed to the Rams by signing a contract with the club.

The 20-year-old defensive midfielder, who received rave reviews with Watford’s reserves before he was released following injury in 2009, is now back to full fitness.

He finds the red shirt of Ramsgate a comfortable fit and has impressed management and fans alike, and scored the opener in the Rams’ recent defeat of Premier Division Billericay Town.

BECKENHAM TOWN play their first FA Cup tie for six years when they travel to Worthing to tackle Sussex County League side Littlehampton Town in the Extra Preliminary Round on Sunday.

It’s six years since Becks last played in the Competition, and that resulted in a 5-2 home defeat at the hands of Sandhurst Town. It’s nice to be back, but unless Becks can "magic up" some ground grading improvements between now and next March, then whatever their results it’s going to be a brief flirtation with the FA’s premier competition.

Becks manager Jason Huntley has just return from the sizzling Mediterranean sunshine and now needs to turn the heat on his playing squad to ensure there are no repeats of last season’s appalling disciplinary record.

Becks need to keep their cool in the more temperate Worthing climate and demonstrate that they have learnt to control their often ‘hot head’ temperaments.

The form book should make Becks favourites for Sunday’s encounter although there were some worrying signs about their goal scoring ability in last weekend’s goalless encounter with Tunbridge Wells . Goals shouldn’t be a problem for Becks: they have the Kent League’s leading goal scorer from last season Gary Gorman leading their attack along with new teenage discovery Quentin Conteh.

“It’s been a long six year wait for Becks and one which they will not want to come to any premature end,” said Peter Denton. “They enjoyed their return to the Vase last season.”

FISHER’S season got off to a disappointing start as goals from ex-Fisher forward Duke Binitie, Harry Draper and Adam Wadmore earned Greenwich Borough a convincing 3-1 win at Champion Hill last weekendd.

New signings Danny Young and Dexter Babalola as well as Captain Kris Hollidge were all unavailable for selection due to personal reasons so Gary Lisney was forced into making a few changes.

Jimmy Beachump deputised for Kris Hollidge at right-back whilst Callum Roberts stepped in for Danny Young in central defence and Rafa Akala (who scored for the Fish) partnered Joe Goodwin up front.

Lisney was disappointed with his side’s opening day performance.

“I’m a little bit disappointed, I thought we were very slow out of the blocks,” Lisney told www.fisherfc.co.uk.

“We have had a very good pre-season and I think some people thought we were just going to turn up and play irrespective of the opposition but in football you have to earn the right to play and we didn’t do that frankly in the first half an hour.

“When we did start to compete a bit better – for the last 15 minutes of the first half we looked a completely different prospect, we looked sharper and we went and got the goal.

“I was disappointed to concede two poor goals in my opinion – the fist two – simple balls over the top and I said to the players at half time – we’re most vulnerable when we’ve got the ball, people need to remember that.

“We need to make sure we are organised and we’re picking people up even when we’ve got the ball because it turns around really quickly and if your not in the right place people will score goals. Their first goals a really good example that.

“I said to the players after the game – if we’ve learnt a valuable lesson today in terms of our attitude and our mental approach before next Saturday’s game then today won’t be the end of the world and it won’t be all be in vain.”

Fisher travel to Corinthian for the sole Kent League fixture and Lisney wants a vast improvement at Gay Dawn Farm.

He said: “If we turn up on Saturday thinking we’re just going to turn up, play and win then today will have been a real big disappointment because we won’t have learnt anything from it.

“I said to the players we’re not gonna win the league today and we’re not gonna lose the league today, today doesn’t dictate we’re we finish in the league there’s a whole series of games that dictate where we finish in the league.

“If we can improve our mental approach to games and our attitude, we’ve certainly got enough ability and we’ve got enough talent in the side and we proved that in patches today.

“And fair play to Greenwich Borough their a strong side, a good side and they’ll be up there and good luck to them because they certainly play football the right way in my view – they like to get it down and pass it around.

There’s certainly some positives to take out of today’s game – Rafa got on the score-sheet and could have had another so its not all doom and gloom. Onwards and upwards.”

HYTHE TOWN boss Scott Porter says his side were brought back down to earth following their 3-2 defeat at VCD Athletic on the opening day of the Kent League season last weekend.

The Hythe boss has publicly stated his aspirations of getting out of the Kent League at the end of this season, but they came unstuck at Oakwood.

He told www.hythetownfc.co.uk: “Everyone has worked hard over the last week and we have gone over some of the things that went wrong on Saturday. I think it has brought everyone down to earth and hopefully we will have a response on Saturday.

“It was obviously disappointing, particularly after what we had done in pre-season, the way we played to beat teams from higher levels.

“Everyone can get carried away by results in friendlies but ultimately they don't mean anything, with no points at stake.

“We have tried to drive it into the lads that teams will raise their game against us because of the players we have and that is what VCD did.

“When the players cross that white line, it is down to them and they didn't react. Everyone had a bad game, this seems to be the case when we have an off-day - it is the whole team, not just one or two players.

“The manner in which we lost was disappointing, we basically gave them three goals, and hopefully the back four won't play like that again all season. But we will take it on the chin, there is a no point moaning and there is a long way to go.

“This should be a wake-up call. No one loses the league overnight, there were some funny old results on Saturday, which is often the case on the opening day, and I am sure there will be plenty of twists and turns to come.”

Hythe, who were knocked out by Blue Square South giants Woking in second qualifying round replay last season, get their FA Cup campaign underway with a home tie against Bookham tomorrow.

Porter said: “Clive and I went to watch Bookham in their game on Wednesday evening at Raynes Park Vale and we had a good training session on Tuesday. The lads put in a lot of effort and are ready to bounce back.

Hythe have unveiled the signing of Ronnie Dolan, 19, who arrives from Ashford Town.

Porter added: “He looks good, a hard worker and will give us another option. We have the strongest squad since I have been involved here, whether as a player, assistant manager and now manager.

“It is all about the squad, as I emphasise to the players, not just about the starting eleven. If you are not playing well, there are people ready to take your shirt, everyone has to work hard, and that is what you want as a manager. Enjoy the game on Saturday and let's see if we can embark on another cup adventure.”

LORDSWOOD boss Jason Lillis hopes a midweek scouting mission will prove worthwhile when they begin their FA Cup campaign with an extra preliminary round home tie against Sussex County League Division One side Pagham tomorrow.

Lillis and assistant manager John Guest made the near 190 mile round trip to watch Pagham beat Ringmer 4-1.

Former Gillingham and Maidstone United ace Lillis told www.lordswoodfc.co.uk: “It was a long journey, but a worthwhile trip, because we were able to spot areas where they might be dangerous. They are not a bad side and looked quite lively. They knocked the ball around well and looked organised, but the other team were very poor. I am sure it will be tough, but I didn’t see anything there to worry me. I think if we turn up on the day we should win.”

Lordswood progressed beyond the first hurdle last season, winning 4-2 at another Sussex League side, Oakwood, before going out 2-1 at Whitstable in the next round after a replay. Lillis gave his squad the night off on Tuesday, because several players needed treatment on knocks.

He added: “A few of the boys were carrying niggles from the weekend, but we were back in training (on Thursday night).

Three of his new signings have missed the start of the season, goalkeeper Stuart Clarke has an ankle injury, midfielder Jason Long is nursing a foot injury while Peter Huggens is on holiday. Goalkeeper Sean Funnell retains his place in goal, after making his debut against Deal at the weekend. He has joined Lordswood from Kent League Cup finalists Sevenoaks.

SEVENOAKS TOWN goalkeeper Simon Overland has explained why he has decided to drop down from the Blue Square Premier to play Kent League football.

Sevenoaks Town's new six foot five inch goalkeeper has put the chance of playing at the highest level he can, on hold at least for the time being, to concentrate on his career in coaching and as a personal trainer.

Speaking after the 2-2 draw against Norton Sports last Saturday, Maidstone based Overland told www.sevenoakstownfc.org: "I am helping Keith Levett at the Welling Academy as goalkeeping coach, and focusing on getting my badges, and looking into other things as well, including courses, and things like that."

Overland, who will be 25 in December started his career at Millwall, after being spotted playing for Bearsted, but has moved around a lot since, and played in the Conference for Hayes & Yeading last season, making 31 appearances for the West London club.

He said: "I was a regular in the side until we had a bad run about Christmas time, and the manager (Garry Haylock) pointed a few fingers at people including me and a few others.

"I knew it would be hard over there from the start, because the goalie I replaced (Delroy Preddie) was an absolute legend. He was loved over there, but I felt the manager was always waiting for me to make a mistake, so he could drop me.

"I thought I done well, and if anything I was keeping us in most games, but I sat out the rest of the season, and was replaced by Clark Masters."

Overland's height and size makes him an imposing figure, and admits his motto is "they shall not pass.

He said: "It always has been, and if anything I have got more to prove playing at this level, because if they beat me they are really going to rub it in, if they know about my background.

"It's the way you have to be as a goalkeeper, because if you aren't, you are going to get beaten left, right and centre.

"I feel I have felt I have learned a lot from coaches and managers along the way. I enjoyed my time at Millwall, and was doing very well, but then had one bad game, and I was out the door.

I was at Gravesend for a short time, Andy Ford took me there, and wanted to sign me when he went to Stevenage, but I decided to go to Dagenham.

"I worked with John Still, and he was a genuine guy, and I loved it there. I was No 2 to Tony Roberts for a while, before I got injured, and then went out on loan to several clubs, including Ashford, and Dulwich, where I met Wayne Burnett.

"He took me to Fisher in 2007-8, and that was one of my best years, and learned so much from him."

Reflecting on the two goals he conceded against Norton, Overland said: " I was annoyed I made the mistake from the free-kick, for the first one, but it was blatant handball, the second was a great finish though. I had a few bodies in the way, but you have to give the lad credit, it was a great strike.

"It's all new here, and some of our lads are very young. We have to see how far we can take this team, hopefully we can gel quickly, and go from there."

Manager Keith Levett took plenty out of his first game in charge against Norton Sports last Saturday.

He said: "I thought the game passed us by a little bit, we didn't really control it as we would have liked, especially when they went down to 10 men.

"We were a little bit predictable, and have got to be a little bit braver, get the ball down more, try and play and keep possession.

"We gave away too many free kicks in the second half, and we didn't play with enough pattern and shape when we had the ball, and in the heat of the excitement, first game of the season, some of my boys forgot what they were doing.

"I can't be too hard on them though - they are still only young, may never have been coached before and there is a rawness about them.

"Brandon(James) is six foot two inches, strong lad - only 18 - but he can get a bit more movement in his game he could be a handful, hopefully he can do that quickly, and we can benefit from it. If he does do that he can play higher.

"Chris Davies was very good, and I think man-of-the-match, he is just 19 and done really well. He took his goal well, his link up play was good, and he is going to be a great little right back.

"Disappointments for me were that there wasn't enough movement about the front three, and in midfield, we didn't get on the ball enough and demand possession.

"If we are going to play they have to do that, but they are only young boys and maybe got a bit intimidated.

Norton Sports weren't short of a tackle, very competitive, I didn't think it was a nasty game, a couple of tackles were near the mark, but I thought the referee let too much go and made a rod for his own back, but he is only young as well.

"We showed a lot of character, going 2-1 down, and then coming back, and that's a positive. We are a new team, and heads could have gone down.

"I think though we should have gone on and won the game, two or three months down the line, once we settle down, I think we would have done. I wanted three points, but we'll take one."

"I thought they were two poor goals really, the players seemed to think the first one was handball, but I couldn't tell you from where I was."

Sevenoaks Town's Extra Preliminary Round FA Cup tie against Sussex County League Division 1 side Lingfield has been put back 24 hours until Sunday August 15. (kick off 3pm)

The game will be played at East Court, home of East Grinstead, as Lingfield are unable to use their own ground at Godstone Road due to cricket commitments.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS boss Martin Larkin appreciates the importance of staying in the Cups for as long as possible, ahead of their trip to Sussex County League outfit Mile Oak in the Extra Preliminary Round.

Looking ahead to the FA Cup tie, Larkin told www.kentishfootball.co.uk: “We didn’t progress through any of the Cups last year, be it the FA Cup, FA Vase and the County Cup. We’ve got some good, exciting draws. We’ve got Sevenoaks in the League Cup, which is a nice derby game, they’re always good games to be involved in, so we’re definitely keen to progress in the cups.

“Once you do that it builds momentum and if you’re winning each week it reflects in the League campaign. We found it difficult motivating the players at one point last year as we were out of all the cups so we’re going to make sure we target the cups this year.”

The club have confirmed that midfielder Keelan Mooney has signed forms following last Saturday’s opening goal-less home draw with Beckenham Town.

Larkin said: "Keelan enjoyed time with us towards the end of last season, and after spending pre-season with Maidstone United (where he was very close to forcing his way in to the side), he has now decided he needs to be playing week-in-week-out rather than being sat on the bench.

“He goes straight into the squad for the FA Cup game this week and we hope all of the Culverden faithful will welcome him back when you get a chance.”

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