We'll maybe give it a good go next year, says Sutton Athletic boss James Collins

SUTTON ATHLETIC manager James Collins says the club will have to wait that little bit longer before installing floodlights at Lower Road.

The club slipped down to fourth-place in the Kent Invicta League table following their 5-3 home defeat to league leaders Hollands & Blair yesterday.

Their place in the top three were taken by Bearsted, who defeated Fleet Leisure 2-0 at Honey Lane.

The Hextable based club are thirteen points adrift of Hollands & Blair, ten behind second-placed Lydd, although fifth-placed Orpington have collected the same number of points (39) as Collins’ men.

“We’ve just got to try to consolidate third position,” Collins said yesterday.

“I’d like to put pressure on second place but that’s not going to happen now.

“We’ve got to consolidate third.  I think the club finished sixth and eighth in previous seasons so to break into that and run them (Hollands & Blair) close (proves that) we’ve made massive strides. 

“I think we’ve got to go and win something now to make it a successful season.”

Sutton play Bridon Ropes over two legs in the Pain & Glory Sports Kent Invicta League Challenge Trophy Semi-Finals, with the away leg being played on Saturday, 12 April, before the deciding match at Lower Road being played seven days later.

“Bridon will be a tough game,” warned Collins.

“We’ve played them once in the league and we’ve got to play them three times towards the back end of the season as well so we’re looking forward to that, but we have to play better than we did yesterday if we want to progress to the final.”

Sutton Athletic must also cram in eight more league games before the end of the season, starting with a home clash against third-from-bottom Meridian VP next Saturday.

“That’s something that we’ve got to get used to because we don’t play midweek games so it’s going to be a test for me,” admitted Collins.

“We’ve signed a couple of players that should help us out. That’s the good thing when you don’t play well there’s always another game around the corner.”

When asked about the installation of floodlighting at Lower Road, Collins replied: “There was a meeting on Thursday night when we were supposed to find out but for whatever reason it got put back just due to the fact that there were so many issues with the council with other things, so we didn’t get to find out.

“I think the committee are positive we’ll get the planning permission and we’ll apply for funding.

“We wouldn’t have been ready to go up ground wise this year anyway but we’ll maybe give it a good go next year.”

When asked what he needs on the pitch to challenge for the title next season, Collins, 31, said: “I thought a few players, mentally weren’t strong enough in the game yesterday.

“I don’t think we’re far off. We’ll have to see who we can keep in the summer.

“We pay £3 subs, a £40 signing-on fee.  How long can you keep players?

“I think there are players out there who can play at a higher level and have been paid money. It will be hard keeping everyone together.  I think the club don’t want subs to be paid next season so hopefully they’ll do something there. 

“I don’t think we need much but it’s who you can keep hold off.”

Visit Sutton Athletic’s website: www.clubwebsite.co.uk/suttonathletic