St Peter have a hugely talented side and I have done my homework to make sure we are prepared, says Tunbridge Wells boss Jason Bourne

TUNBRIDGE WELLS manager Jason Bourne says playing Jersey based St Peter has a feel of a FA Vase tie at Culverden Stadium today (14:00).

The Wells went down to a 4-3 home defeat to title-chasing Chatham Town last weekend, which put an end to their six match unbeaten run and as a result are in the bottom six in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table with 26 points from 21 games.

“The seven goal thriller with Chatham was a tough one to take after leading 3-1 but we can now put right some under lying problems that you don’t see when you’re winning all the time.  It’s only fine tuning but for us to kick on that’s what is needed,” said Bourne.

The Wells boss expects a tough game against St Peter as he bids to reach the semi-finals of the Kent Senior Trophy.

“Today we welcome St Peter to the Culverden Stadium for the Kent Senior Trophy Quarter-Final, which will have a feel of a FA Vase game, given the opposition,” he said.

“St Peter have a hugely talented side and I have done my homework to make sure we are prepared, but for me it’s about ourselves and there is genuinely no team in any league I would not back my boys against.

“We know that our run had to come to an end at some point but we will learn more in defeat than in victory for this team to fulfil our full potential.

“Andy Boyle and I have been fortunate enough to name a mainly unchanged side for the last couple of months and it’s no coincidence that the players enjoy that but keeping our squad together around, that is our hardest task as competition for places is tough.

“We are enjoying working hard, we’re enjoying being together and when that’s the case it makes life a lot easier after defeat, so we can pick each other up and go again.”

“I’m sure that everyone in the ground today will be in for an entertaining afternoon of football.

“We have certainly given value for money these last few months in every game, for me and Boylie a cheeky 1-0 win will be fine!

“We need the crowd to be loud and proud as always to help us take the team into the Semi-Finals against a top team today.

“I’ve got a feeling numbers wise we will be the best supported fixture at this level after we had 505 through the gate last week, which is testament to the hard work the board are doing off-the-pitch as well as the football on it.”

Ola Williams and Dane Moore will have a day-off as they are both cup-tied, Josh Biddlecombe is nursing an injury and Greg Skinner is away on business.

Visit Tunbridge Wells website:  www.tunbridgewellsfc.com

Tunbridge Wells  v  St Peter
Kent Senior Trophy Quarter-Final
Saturday 19 January 2019
Kick Off 2:00pm
at Culverden Stadium, Culverden Down, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 9SG