We need a big push for our remaining three games, says VCD Athletic boss Tony Russell

VCD ATHLETIC manager Tony Russell says his players are giving everything they can to keep themselves in the Ryman Premier League.

The Vickers claimed the Ryman League Division One North title on a dramatic final day of last season and are battling hard to ensure they’ll avoid relegation at the first attempt.



BATTLE: Ray Powell and Tony Russell claimed the Ryman League Division One North title last season and are giving all they can to avoid relegation from the Ryman Premier League this month.
 

The Crayford-based outfit go into their final three league games sitting in the bottom four with 44 points from 43 games.

They are at home to tenth-placed Wingate & Finchley on Saturday, before they travel to third-placed Margate (18 April), before fourteenth-placed Billericay Town visit Oakwood on the last day of the season.

Russell’s side go into the game having won their last three games, having defeated Lewes 2-0, followed by a good Easter, with a 3-2 win at already-relegated Bury Town, before Leatherhead were beaten 2-0 at Oakwood on Easter Monday.

Russell said: “It was a good weekend for us. Saturday we went to Bury and raced into a 2-0 lead with Shaggy (Michael Power) and Payno (Ben Payne) getting the goals.

“It should have been more by half-time but for some poor finishing.

“Second half we started sloppy and let them back into the game.  They made it 2-1 with 25 minutes to go and then we started playing again and soon made it 3-1 with Shaggy scoring his second goal of the game.

“They scored from the last kick of the game which took the gloss off it a bit as it made it look a closer game than it was.

“Monday, against Leatherhead, the first half was a pretty even contest with neither team really troubling the goalkeepers.

“The second half was a big push from the boys and we took control of the game.

“We could have used the ball better but I must say off the ball we was top class! The work-rate was the best I have ever seen from us.

“We went on to win 2-0 with goals from Leigh Bremner and Elliot Cox but from a couple of really good saves from the Leatherhead keeper it could have been more!

“Leatherhead are a decent side so for Bluey (Nick Blue) to not to have a save of any note to make tells me we are in a good place.

“Three wins in a row but more wins are needed.  We have got back in the mix but need a big push for the remaining three games.

“Regardless of what happens for now until the end of the season they are a special group of players who me and Razor (assistant manager, Ray Powell) thank for giving us everything week in week out.”

Hampton & Richmond Borough (48 points); Tonbridge Angels (47); Harrow Borough (47) and Peacehaven & Telscombe (47) are all above VCD Athletic, who are keeping their survival hopes alive going into the last month of the season.

Visit VCD Athletic’s website: www.vcd-athletic-fc.com

VCD Athletic v Wingate & Finchley
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 11^th April 2015
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Oakwood, Old Road, Crayford, Kent DA1 4DN