To be hit with elimination so close to a Cup Final was a shock to everyone, says Andy Constable

ERITH & BELVEDERE striker Andy Constable says he feels gutted after his club were thrown out of the Umbro Kent Senior Trophy Final.




The Kent Hurlimann Football League club were to travel 60 yards across to Welling United’s part of the ground at Park View Road to play Sevenoaks Town in the showpiece final on Sunday, 15 April.

But the club issued a statement last Monday to confirm that they have been thrown out of the competition for fielding a player without international clearance.  That player is believed to be Michael Abnett, who played in their quarter-final win over Cray Valley (Paper Mills) in January, but is no longer at the club.

Hollands & Blair will face Cray Valley (Paper Mills) at their Star Meadow ground tomorrow afternoon to see which side will meet Darren Anslow’s side in the final.

“Obviously as a player and as a club we’re pretty gutted about it,” admitted Constable, who used to play for Sevenoaks Town.

“For something to hit us that late and so close to a Cup Final was a shock to everyone. 

“As much as it’s frustrating, I guess the rules are the rules and if we get found that we’ve fielded an ineligible player – which we have - then you’re going to be out of that competition.

“It’s so unfortunate it’s happened so close to the final.   With regards to the player, he hasn’t been part of the squad and been on the run we’ve been on, makes it harder to take, I think.”

Constable, 33, is proud to be currently leading the Kent goalscoring charts, with 31 goals.

“It is a nice feeling as a striker,” said Constable, who set himself a 30-goal target at the start of the season.

“As a striker that’s what you set out to do.  I recall our conversation on our first league game.  That was my target so it’s nice to hit that, especially when it’s in the public eye as well.

“Obviously personally it’s been a good season for me.  We’ve got four games left, so hopefully I can carry on.”

When asked the secret behind his rich-vein of goalscoring form, Constable admitted Micky Collins’ direct style of play has helped him.

He said: “I’m part of a good side.  We create a lot of chances. I think it’s pretty obviously with the way we play they hit me as a target man and that can work in my favour.  It creates a lot more chances for me. 

“If I’m critical, some of the chances I’ve missed as well, I could be looking at a lot more, to be honest with you!

“It stems from having a decent dressing room, a good work-rate ethic, which we have got and that bodes well for people at the right end to put the chances away.”

Erith & Belvedere travel to Erith Sports Stadium tomorrow, to play the Erith derby against Tony Russell’s side.

Erith Town suffered a 3-0 defeat away to Beckenham Town last Monday night and the Dockers fielded former Charlton Athletic striker Tamer Tuna, who has dropped from the Championship to the Kent League in the space of three seasons.

It will be interesting to see whether Constable out performs the 20-year-old in front of goal tomorrow.

Constable said: “Yes, it’s always nice to have a derby game.  I think we’re two decent sides. 

“I saw an interview with Tony Russell saying about the contrasting styles of play and I think he’s probably right to be honest.

“It was a close game at home and they came away with a 2-1 victory. I think it was courtesy of a 90^th minute free-kick, which was probably the best free-kick I’ve seen!

“It should be a close game.  It’s nice to get back to League action and hopefully we can continue our run that we’ve been on.”

Second placed Erith & Belvedere are on an impressive eight match unbeaten run and at present are five points adrift of Herne Bay, who only need eight more points to clinch the league title.

“We’ve had a very good season,” reflected Constable.  “If you look back at some of the results that have cost us, like two defeats to Lordswood.  With due respect to them we should be beating teams like that.  Games like that we have to win if you want to win titles.

“At the start of the season we set out to finish as high as possible.  Second to Herne Bay is a good season, considering what a good side they are.

“To be perfectly honest, we can’t give up yet, until it’s mathematically impossible that we can’t win it.

“We have to try and win games and see what happens.  Realistically if we do finish second, with or without being in the Cup Final, then it’s a good season.”

Constable, who was plucked out of Sunday League football by then Ryman League Division One club Bromley, revealed that he will still be playing next season and thanked the managers that he has played under.

He said: “I will definitely be playing somewhere next season.  I’m surprised, if I’m perfectly honest on how this season has gone for me.  As a striker you always look to score goals. 

“I think having two seasons at Thamesmead (before signing for Erith & Belvedere at the start of this season) has helped my game massively, especially dropping back down to the Kent League.

“Next season I can hopefully go on.  If it’s with Erith & Belvedere hopefully we can go on and win something.”

Constable revealed that this season has been his best so far.

He said: “That’s my highest ever total since I’ve started.  It’s interesting it’s come late in a career, that’s pleasing. 

“If you think about what you learn from the game with experience if you can put that knowledge into a youngsters’ mind, you’ll have some devastating players, I think.

“From when I first started at Bromley, I was only a youngster sitting on the bench for a couple of seasons, but being around players like Matt Woolf, Frank Coles – and he went on to be manager – and Mark Tompkins.  They’re all great players and you can learn from that. 

“Manager wise, I had a lot of respect of the managers at Whitstable.  Marc Seager, in particular, for what I achieved there.  Keith (McMahon) at Thamesmead, he gave me a chance at that level after I was in the Kent League for a little while and that helped my confidence.

“Playing under Micky (Collins) now has been brilliant. I have absolutely loved it and they are all people who have a massive appetite for the game, otherwise they wouldn’t be doing it.

“It may stand me in good stead for management one day, who knows?

“I think when you get older you do start to think what you’re going to do when you stop playing.  I still personally think I’ve got a couple of years’ left in me, if I can stay injury free, touch wood.

“You would like to think you’d stay in and around the game, whether that would be a coach or manager, yes, you have to wait and see.  I wouldn’t rule anything out yet.”

Visit Erith & Belvedere’s website: www.erithandbelvederefc.co.uk  

Erith Town  v  Erith & Belvedere
Kent Hurlimann Football League
Easter Saturday, 7^th April 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Erith Sports Stadium, Avenue Road, Erith, Kent DA8 3AT