The target this year is to finish in the top eight, says Larkin

Tuesday 16th February 2010

TUNBRIDGE WELLS boss Martin Larkin hopes to have a new striker available to him for Saturday’s trip to Beckenham Town, writes Stephen McCartney.

Locally-based striker, Charlie Sharman, is expected to return to Culverden Stadium, as Larkin has agreed to loan deal with Ryman League Division One South side Croydon Athletic, where his first-team opportunities have been limited.

“We’ll hopefully have a new signing with us on Saturday, if the forms go through on time,” Larkin told www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight.

“He’s a lad who was here when he was sixteen. He’s gone away and he now needs to come back. He’s come here on loan so we’ve done the paperwork properly.

“He’s a good local lad and that’s what we’re all about here.”

Tunbridge Wells arrive at Eden Park Avenue sitting in tenth place in the Bulmers Cider Kent League table, with five wins and seven draws from their 18 league outings and are a tough nut to crack.

Jason Huntley’s Beckenham side, meanwhile, are in fifth place in the table, with eight wins and three draws from 17 games - 20 points adrift of league leaders Faversham Town.

“We’ve looked at the stats and we’ve not lost a game this season when we’ve had a full-strength team to choose from,” said Larkin.

“”We’ve not got a reserve team so it’s been difficult to have that total strength-in-depth but the core that we’ve got here at the minute we’re very, very happy with.

“If we can keep this group together we’ll be very strong again next year, especially if we can add to it again.”

Larkin confirmed that he has been working WITHOUT a playing budget this season.

“Everyone knows we’ve got a zero budget here, no players get paid a single penny this year and we’re very proud of that in terms that we’ve done very, very well,” he said.

He added: “Turn some of those draws into wins and some of those defeats into draws that should’ve been, we’d be higher up in the table.

“There’s quite a few teams there with 22 or 25 points so if you win a couple of games then you suddenly go up to fifth or sixth again.

“The target this year is to finish in the top eight. The club finished tenth in the last two years so to do that with the money that has been spent in previous years and not spend any and finish top eight would be quite an achievement I think and that’s what we aim to do.”

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

Beckenham Town v Tunbridge Wells

Bulmers Cider Kent League

Saturday 20th February 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Eden Park Avenue, Beckenham, Kent BR3 1JT