There's still a lot more to come from us," warns Holmesdale boss Hughes

Monday 17th August 2009

HOLMESDALE may have a 100% record so far this season - but boss Billy Hughes insists there’s a lot more to come from his side, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Bromley outfit kicked off their Bulmers Cider Kent League campaign with a 2-1 home win over Lordswood, courtesy of goals from Chris Hatt and former Croydon striker Badar Mohammed.

And giant central defender, Frank Bunani created history as he was the first Holmesdale player to score in the FA Cup as the Dalers won 2-1 away to Hartley Whitney in the Extra Preliminary Round on Saturday.

AJ Morrison got the other goal, which now sees Hughes’ men welcome Combined Counties League side Badshot Lea to Oakley Road on 29th August.

“Frank always looks dangerous when he goes up to be honest,” Hughes told www.kentishfootball.co.uk this afternoon.

“He’s a presence, you only have to look at him. He’s muscular build, six foot something, he’s always a threat when he goes up and to be honest, it wasn’t with his head this time. He caught it on the half-volley, straight into the top of the net, which was pleasing.”

Hughes prepared professionally ahead of the club’s first ever FA Cup tie.

“I went to watch on Wednesday,” he said, . “which killed two things there because Hartley Whitney, who were our first game in the FA Cup, where playing Feltham, who we’re playing in the FA Vase, so it was an ideal fixture to go and watch so I went down there on Wednesday.

“You could tell straight away that Hartley Whitney were a footballing side, like ourselves. Their keeper rarely kicks the ball, they get it out, they play, their ethic was good, their fitness levels were really good on Wednesday especially so I knew it was going to be a tough game.

“But I also knew if we performed, we could go there and get a result.”

A lot of water will pass underneath the bridge before Hughes takes his side to Feltham in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Vase on Sunday, 6th September.

But he is expecting a tough encounter.

“Feltham are a lot more direct, very long ball and physical,” he warned. “Basically they’re a Hythe of their league, very direct, physical, big lads.

“It will be a tough game for us that will. They really defended well. Their manager, I think, was the centre forward. I could see he’s been around for quite a while.”

Hughes takes his side to much-fancied side Faversham Town on Saturday as the two clubs return to the bread and butter of Kent League football.

“Faversham are always tough,” said Hughes. “Alright, we’ve got two results but it’s nothing to get carried away about.

“We’ve not played to our full potential yet. There’s still a lot more to come from us and hopefully we can produce that extra bit against Faversham because we’re going to need to.

“Faversham are a very good side, very organised, dangerous up front and very good at the back as well with (Lee) Shearer and that. It’s a tough game, very different compared to the first two games.”

Hughes, the former Beckenham Town number two, refused to describe their trip to Salters Lane as a six-pointer.

“It’s our second game, it’s our third game if you count Hartley Whitney,” he said. “There’s a long way to go yet and teams are improving. Lordswood and Beckenham have improved this year and there’s new teams coming into it like Corinthian and Fisher.

“Fisher haven’t had the best of starts, so they will get better and take points off people, believe me, and I don’t know nothing about Corinthian at the moment.”

Hughes added: “This game is important; Faversham and ourselves want to keep the winning momentum going and get the three points, but the result as in the scheme of things at the end, doesn’t mean anything really.”

Hughes revealed that his players will have to put in regular good performances to keep their place in the side.

“All we’ve done this year is brought in a couple of new faces, there’s people who are not picking themselves, there’s competition for places.

“You only have to look at the team sheet versus Lordswood and Hartley Whitney, the two scorers against Lordswood didn’t start against Hartley Whitney because there’s going to be a squad season for us.

“People have just got to accept that down here now and there’s some good players down there. If they’re not doing it, they won’t get the shirt. We have to make sure we pick the right people to do the right job.”

When asked whether there is a connection with big-spending Ryman League Division One South club Croydon Athletic, Hughes replied, “I’ve got nothing to say about the Croydon Athletic thing!”

But he added: “Look at our team sheet, there’s hardly any difference from last year and if anything we’ve got a couple of players from Croydon, Dickson Gill’s Croydon.

“The Croydon Athletic thing are rumours in the background. If doesn’t affect me or the dressing room. We’re just getting on with things and putting out the strongest team we can.”

Visit Faversham Town’s website: www.favershamtownfc.co.uk

Visit Holmesdale’s website: www.holmesdalefc.co.uk

Faversham Town v Holmesdale

Bulmers Cider Kent League

Saturday 22nd August 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Salters Lane, Faversham, Kent ME13 8ND