THE BIG KICK OFF: Kent League managers relish opening day - EXCLUSIVES

Managers of Kent League clubs are looking forward to the opening day of their league campaigns, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Kent Football League published their fixtures earlier today, with some tasty opening day clashes when the season kick’s off on Saturday, 11^th August.

Croydon, who finished their first Kent League campaign in third place last season, travel to a Thamesmead Town side that finished in fourth place.

And Mead boss Keith McMahon believes his side will relish playing such a tough fixture on the opening day.

“I’m pleased with our opening fixture at home to Croydon,” McMahon said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk today. “I wanted two things, one a tough start against one of the top sides, and a home game.

“This will give the players that little more incentive in pre-season to push themselves for the first league game.

“Croydon will fancy their chances this year but won’t fancy playing us first game of the season at Bayliss Avenue.

“We have a good record at home and they know that.

“It’s a good tough test that will set us in good stead for the following week in the FA Cup against Egham Town and then on for the rest of the season.”

McMahon’s men are one of the four sides that can clinch the Kent League crown this season.

“I am looking for promotion this year, this is my second year in charge now and I have kept all my squad from last year,” he said. “Plus I have added a couple of new players as well.”

Thamesmead opened their pre-season campaign at the weekend, when a Jon Main strike secured a win for Ryman Premier League side, Tonbridge Angels.

“We started pre-season well and had a good run-out against Tonbridge Angels on Saturday,” said McMahon.

“But I thought we deserved something out of the game, but it’s not all about results at this stage, it’s about fitness and getting matches under the players’ belts.”

McMahon, however, needs some important issues sorted out behind the scenes before their league campaign.

He said: “I think we will be challenging for honours again this year.

“ I haven’t sat down with the chairman or the committee yet to see if there’s anymore money for players, so I’m in the dark at the moment, which isn’t the best preparation.

“But until I sit down with them, then I will know the ambitions of the club, but at the moment it seems that I have been left to get on with it, but that doesn’t worry me, it’s something I have got used to and I know that with the players I have at the moment, that we will be one of the teams to beat.”

Mead’s promotion rivals, VCD Athletic, are also on home soil for their first game of the season.

Newly appointed boss Paul Foley is looking forward to their clash against Tunbridge Wells.

He said: “I was pleased that we have got a home fixture for the first game, because the pitch is perfect and we can play good football on it.

“It doesn’t matter who we play as you have to play everyone at some stage, that’s how a league works!

“We have high hopes for this season. I have been a winner as a player and I expect the same as a manager. We will not fail through a lack of effort that’s for sure.”

Steve Gibbons, meanwhile, the assistant manager at Tunbridge Wells, hopes Foley’s side “underestimate” the club that finished in the bottom three last term.

“The usual tough start away from home for the Wells,” Gibbons said. “Last year we opened at Thamesmead, this year away to VCD. You have to play the top sides at some stage.

“They know we will not make it easy for them, but hopefully they will underestimate us.”

Improvement has to be on the cards for the Culverden Stadium outfit, following a disastrous campaign last term.

“This season we really want to show that last season was a false one in terms of our finishing position and we intend on going for every competition at full tilt,” added Gibbons.

Phil Miles, the manager of Greenwich Borough, takes his side to Deal Town.

“A tough start,” said the former Slade Green boss. “Always a difficult place to go to at anytime.”

Bob Pittaway, the joint-manager at Sevenoaks Town, wants his side to improve on their tenth place finish last season, which was the club’s highest ever finish as a Kent League club.

The former Dartford coach wants his side to get off to a flying start against a Herne Bay side that were in a transitional period last term.

“Herne Bay at home is a very good fixture for us,” said Pittaway. “I believe with the team that we’ve actually got now, and another year’s experience, I think we’re hoping to look for a top five, top six finish.

“If we’re out of the top five or six I will be very disappointed.

“I think we can move on from last year and have a very good season.”

Mr John Bathurst, the chairman of Herne Bay, complained about his club’s opening fixtures.

“Not a bad start,” he said. “I don’t see why the Kent League always gives clubs a midweek fixture in the week following the FA Cup.

“We are away to Hythe Town on Tuesday, 21^st August and if Hythe or Bay draw their FA Cup game then this game will have to be rescheduled.”

He added: “Our only league home game in August against Thamesmead should be a great test for our youngsters.”

Kent League Premier Division Fixtures - Saturday 11^th August 2007
Deal Town v Greenwich Borough
Faversham Town v Erith Town
Holmesdale v Erith & Belvedere
Lordswood v Hythe Town
Sevenoaks Town v Herne Bay
Slade Green v Sporting Bengal Utd
Thamesmead Town v Croydon
VCD Athletic v Tunbridge Wells

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Visit www.kentleague.com for the entire fixture lists