Sodje ends his short Tram ride in time for all-Kent Cup showdown

Both sides produced shock results to win their opening day Bulmers Cider Kent League results, although both managers insist their wins over Erith & Belvedere and VCD Athletic respectively were on the cards.

Slade Green won 3-0 at Erith & Belvedere, while a Ross Cable second half goal ensured The Wells stunned title favourites VCD Athletic.

All attention now turns to tomorrow’s all-Kent FA Cup clash and either Matt Longhurst or Wells boss Mike Robbins could be eliminated from the competition on the same day as Ryman League sides start their campaigns.

“It’s a shame that we have met so early in the season, after the good results we’ve both had, because one of us will come back down to earth with a bump,” Robbins told www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk.

“However, the FA Cup is special and I would be very surprised if Matt Longhurst rested anyone after the way they had played last Saturday.

“It poses us with a nice problem. This year, I guess that we go into the game as underdogs, so that is different to last year.

“You could say that no matter which way the result goes, we both remain unbeaten in the league though!”

Robbins knows Slade Green have vastly improved from last season with a vast number of summer signings, including players that were playing for Dartford’s under 21s last term.

“The situation is similar to last week,” said Robbins. “Slade Green, as I predicted, are a very good side, as were VCD.

“They like to play football, like we do, and Matt’s got them together early for pre-season, and that is paying off already.

“They are a very different side to the one that we did the double over last season. They scored goals for fun during pre-season, so we will have to turn up switched on for Saturday to get anything out of the game.

“And let’s not forget the (increased) £750 prize money for winning the tie, and the chance it will bring to get another £1,500 from winning in the round after that. The FA Cup can be a good earner if you go on a good run.”

Robbins has today unveiled the signing of striker Steve Sodje. The striker’s previous clubs include Tonbridge Angels, Hamton & Richmond Borough and Ashford Town.

Dickson Gill persuaded the 33-year-old to sign for him during the close season but he didn’t play a competitive game for Croydon and watched his new side defeat VCD Athletic from the touchline last Saturday.

Speaking about his squad, Robbins added: “I hope they’re excited by the vibe around the club at the moment. They were buzzing on Saturday, and training went very well on Tuesday. The boys are looking forward to the game.”

Bryan Pearce, meanwhile, misses tomorrow’s game through suspension, although he would be available for any replay, which would take place at Culverden Stadium next Tuesday, 19^th August.

Slade Green will be without strikers Raphael Akala (work commitments), Lee Barnett (work commitments) and Ricky Freeman (sustaining an injury at work).

But manager Matt Longhurst adds Sam Groombridge and Jamal Quartson to his squad for tomorrow’s showdown.

But the former Dartford coach admits losing 75% of his strike force is a blow.

“Losing three of our four strikers for one weekend is disappointing after the great start Lee and Ricky made I was looking to make changes anyway but not as many as will be now forced upon us,” he told www.clubwebsite.co.uk/sladegreenfc/  

“However, it will give Sam May his first start and also a young seventeen-year-old that has impressed on trial, after coming through Sunday football, so we will still be able to give a good account of ourselves.

“I’m not making excuses, it’s fact but we will get on with it.

“VCD had players out last week, maybe it’s our turn this week, and someone else’s next week so we will go with what we have and hope to get another great result to go with last week’s.

“We are hoping for a good crowd and can almost guarantee it will be a good game to watch as both teams try to play the right way.”

Visit Slade Green’s website:  www.clubwebsite.co.uk/sladegreenfc/

Visit Tunbridge Wells’ website: www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk

Slade Green v Tunbridge Wells
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Extra Preliminary Round
Saturday 16^th August 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At The Small Glen, Moat Lane, Slade Green