Kentish Football 
Some of my players have bright futures in the game, says Vickers' boss Ricky Bennett
Wednesday 26th January 2011
VCD ATHLETIC boss Ricky Bennett has played down his youthful side’s chances of going on to win the Kent League title at the end of the season, writes Stephen McCartney.
The Crayford based Vickers booked their place in the semi-finals of the Kent League Cup with a 2-0 victory at Erith & Belvedere last night, winning the tie 3-1 on aggregate.
Two second half goals from diminutive striker Lewis Wood, who celebrates his 29th birthday today, and the versatile Daryl Wheeler sent them through.
VCD are presently in third place in the Kent League table with 25 points from 12 games, seven points behind title-favourites Herne Bay.
And when asked about the Kent League title race, Bennett said: “We don’t talk about things like that! If we’re in and around that position in the last month of the season then we’ll have a good go at it but to be where we are is great but I’d rather have the point rather than the games in hand.
“We’ve got some big games to get through the winter. I think if we get through the winter and we’re still in this position, then who knows?”
The club were controversially relegated due to ground grading issues at the end of last season after then manager Paul Foley guided the club to eighth place in the Ryman League Division One North table.
Foley left to manage Chatham Town in the Southern Division, so Bennett and his assistant manager Andy Silk had to build a new squad from scratch, other than a couple of players that stayed, and they began the Kent League season by stunning Hythe Town at Oakwood.
With such a youthful side - although Bennett has been able to attract some experienced heads including Gary Cook, James Brown, Adam Heaslewood, Lewis and Jamie Wood, Bennett feels his youngsters have a bright future in the game.
He said: “Some of the lads really have to get that experience and they’ll get that as they go along and they’ll benefit from it in their careers. Some of them have got a very bright future.”
A late James Duckworth goal sealed the three points at Sevenoaks Town back in October, but Bennett is expecting a tough return match at Oakwood on Saturday.
He said: “Tough side! We went there earlier in the season, we didn’t play particularly well and we came away with a 1-0 win.”
“They’re a much improved side since we’ve played them and it will be a very tough game. They’ve got some really good young players, decent, the way they do things they do things correctly. I think they’re a very good side.”
Visit VCD Athletic’s website: http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/vcdathleticfc0102/
VCD Athletic v Sevenoaks Town
Safety Net Associates Kent League
Saturday 29th January 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Oakwood, Old Road, Crayford, Kent DA1 4DN
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd