The longer we're in the Vase the better, says Tunbridge Wells boss Martin Larkin

TUNBRIDGE WELLS manager Martin Larkin says he wants his side to progress into the national rounds of The FA Carlsberg Vase this season, writes Stephen McCartney.




Larkin has guided his side to third place in the Kent Hurlimann Football League table with seven wins and a draw from their eleven league outings and are ten points behind leaders Herne Bay going into their Second Round clash against Chichester City at Culverden Stadium on Saturday.

Despite Chichester sitting second-from-bottom in the top flight of the Sussex County League, Larkin, who hails from Hove, expects a tough time.

“It’s not a League game, it’s a Vase game and they’ve had some really good results in the Vase,” said Larkin.

“They’ve obviously won away from home a couple of times and they’ve come back and won 4-3, I think, in the last round.  They raise their game significantly in the Vase.  I went to see them a couple of times, they look a decent outfit, they’re pretty organised.

“I don’t think their league position doesn’t reflect where they should be, especially after their previous finish.  We appreciate they’re quite a big club in terms of size and structure, with a nice ground but they’re not going to come and roll over.

“We need to be at our very best.  We’re a little short in terms of personnel and everyone is going to dig deep for us and make sure we put a show on.”

Larkin has set his side a target of still competing in The FA Carlsberg Vase come the New Year.

He said: “You want to get involved after Christmas, that’s what everyone wants.  You get to the last 32 in January and it all goes national.  We were one game short last year, that December fixture against Leverstock Green leaves a taste in the mouth.

“We’re keen to put our best on Saturday.  We know it’s going to be tough against a decent side in Chichester but there’s one more game before going in that draw in January.

“To be in the Vase in January will be a fantastic achievement with the background we’ve got as a club at the moment.  In January it goes national you get your Whitley Bay’s and those kind of games and that’s what we’re looking to do.”

The FA Carlsberg Vase is a unique competition as you only play teams at the same level – or below you – and Larkin admits it sharpens up his players’ in training going into Vase ties.

“It’s quite clever the way the competition runs,” Larkin explained. “The FA Cup, you can win two games and still be out of it in a month where the Vase is a game every month and it breaks the league programme up and it gives us something to look forward to and it helps you plan the league stuff because it breaks up into three game blocks all the time you’re in the Vase, which is a good way to set motivation and targets.

“We enjoy being in the Vase, the club enjoy being in it, the publicity it gives.  The players’ really enjoy being in it.  You’re not going to play a team in a league above you and you’ve got a chance to get to playing at Wembley – that’s the dream surrounding it.

“Everyone keeps positive, training is always sharp.  We’ve got a very good record.  I think we’ve pretty much won most of our league games before a Vase game which helps keeping things sharp and keeping things ticking over so the longer we’re in the Vase the better.”

Meanwhile, Larkin has told his club website why he has brought midfielder Jon Pilbeam back to the club but Alex Rich and Jamie Humphris have departed.

“Jon has re-joined us for the foreseeable future,” Larkin told www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk.

 “He needed game-time and wasn’t getting it at Chatham. We know what he is all about and we are looking forward to getting the best out of him again. He’s given himself a great platform having scored in Saturday’s win (at Erith Town).

Over the years, Rich has played a large part at the club, having come through the youth and reserve ranks, and playing a key part in the first team - appearing in both of The Wells’ Kent Senior Trophy finals in the past six years.

Humphris, meanwhile, joined during October - signing on dual-registration forms with Ryman League Division One South side Maidstone United.

“Alex has been frustrated with lack of playing time recently, and as I can’t guarantee it for him we have decided it would be best if he left to get first team games elsewhere,” Larkin explained. “I believe Crowborough have been speaking with him so hopefully he settles back in there again.

“Alex is a great lad and one of the first we re-signed (from Crowborough) when we took over three years ago. He has been an important part of the side, always giving his all, and I would like to thank him for all his efforts during that time and wish him the very best of luck at Crowborough.

“Jimmy has returned to Maidstone. With Gary Clarke and Tom Davey back we couldn’t give Jimmy anymore game-time. That’s a shame as he was just starting to show his undoubted talent - but again we would like to thank him for his efforts, and for contributing to important Vase and League wins during his spell with us.”

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

Tunbridge Wells  v  Chichester City
The FA Carlsberg Vase Second Round
Saturday 19^th November 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Culverden Stadium, Culverden Down, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 9SG