We'll be challenging for the league next year, vows Stansfeld boss Lloyd Bradley

STANSFELD OXFORD & BERMONDSEY CLUB manager Lloyd Bradley says he is looking forward to the big derby showdown against Metrogas on Saturday.

 

Stansfled complete their campaign with a clash against their landlords sitting in second-place in the NRG Gym Kent County League Premier with 59 points from 27 points.



GOAL: Tony Dakin (yellow shirt, number 5) scores Stansfeld's second goal in the Bill Manklow Inter-Regional Challenge Cup Final against Farnborough Old Boys Guild.
Photo: Julie Hoare

Metrogas, meanwhile, celebrated back-to-back titles last month and they go into their final game of their season sitting 11 points clear.

Bradley’s side claimed the Bill Manklow Inter-Regional Challenge Cup for the third time after beating Division One West side Farnborough Old Boys Guild at Chatham Town’s ground.

Sam Ryan slotted in an early opener before being taken to Chatham Hospital with a suspected dislocated shoulder, before Tony Dakin came up from the back to plant home a second half header to secure the victory.

Tomorrow’s game will take place at an adjacent pitch on Greenwich University Grounds because the usual pitch at Metrogas is being used for cricket.

The sharing with the summer game is one of the reasons that Metrogas cannot take their deserved place in the Kent Invicta League.

Despite there being nothing riding on the game other than local bragging rights, Bradley is still looking forward to the game.

“The thing is we’re still looking to get runners-up as well,” said Bradley, after winning his first piece of silverware towards the end of his second season in charge.

“Because the Metrogas game has come when it has, it’s probably not as big as it would be normally.

“It’s always a big game because we both play at the same ground.  We get the banter in the bar so it will be a big game.

“Also we’ve lost to them twice this year in a semi-final and in the league so it will be nice to get one over on them.

“We did better last year, we beat them once last year and they beat us, but it will be a big game.”

Stansfeld came away from Gravesend with a 2-0 win over Guru Nanak in the bag last night courtesy of two goals from Billy Jolley and Bradley hopes winning some silverware this week will get tired limbs over the line.

He said: “That will spur everyone on. It’s a nice feeling. It’s good for the club and it’s good for the players certainly because there’s new players here who haven’t played for Stansfeld before so they’ve won under the Stansfeld banner, which is good.

“We get a lot of old supporters’ here who have watched a lot of different teams so they’re always comparing the past so it’s always nice we’ve got a trophy under their nose.”

Bradley, meanwhile, is keen to end Metrogas’ dominance next season.

He said: “The league is always the priority. You’re looking to win the league. Hopefully we’ll get runners-up this year and we’ll be challenging next year. That is the plan.”

Visit Stansfeld Oxford & Bermondsey Club’s website: http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/stansfeldobc/Home

Stansfeld Oxford & Bermondsey Club  v Metrogas
NRG Gym Kent County League Premier
Saturday 9^th May 2015
Kick Off 2:45pm
At Greenwich University Pitch, adjacent to Metrogas Sports Ground, Marathon Playing Fields, Fortyfoot Way, Avery Hill Road, New Eltham, London SE9 2EX