We're concentrating on trying to win the Kent League, says VCD Athletic boss Ricky Bennett

HOLMESDALE have today unveiled Paul Proctor as their temporary manager.



The Bromley-based club are rooted to the foot of the Kent Hurlimann Football League table, after picking up only one win from eleven games.

Fabio Rossi, 51, resigned following his side’s 5-0 defeat away to Tunbridge Wells at the weekend.

A club statement, which was published on the club’s official website, said: “Following a run of poor results the club has accepted the resignation of first team manager Fabio Rossi.

“The current reserve team manager Paul Proctor has been asked to take temporary charge.

“Fabio has made a fine contribution to Holmesdale and we are delighted he has accepted a place on the committee and he will remain a big part of the club.”

Last season Proctor managed two sides at youth level at Bromley, but they finished third-from-bottom in the Kent Youth League Northern and second-from-bottom in the Ryman Youth League.

ERITH & BELVEDERE boss Micky Collins admits his side’s direct approach will offer opposing sides goalscoring chances at the other end.

The Deres lie a point clear at the summit in the Kent Hurlimann Football League table with 26 points from 11 games.

They booked their place in to the FA Carlsberg Vase Second Round following their 3-2 home replay win over VCD Athletic last night, after playing out their only goal-less draw of the season in the first match at Oakwood at the weekend.

Two goals from striker Andy Constable, which took his tally to eleven for the season, and one from Adam Burchell sealed Erith & Belvedere’s first ever home win over the Vickers.

Erith & Belvedere will now welcome Frimley Green to Park View Road in the Second Round, the game is expected to be switched to Sunday 18 November because Welling Untied face Salisbury City in Blue Square Bet (Conference) South on the designated date.

Collins side have scored 49 goals in all competitions during their fifteen games, but have shipped 26 at the other end, but their games average five goals a game.

Collins said: “You want to win games. That’s the be all and end all.  It just so happens we’ve got an awful lot of firepower and we score an awful lot of goals so watching us is exciting at times, but you have to bare in mind is the old Kevin Kegan team.  If you’re going to go forward a lot and you’re going to attack teams they’re going to spring you on the break so you’ve got to be prepared for it.”

Sevenoaks Town, who are in the bottom three, with two league wins in their opening ten games, welcome Collins’ men to Greatness Park on Saturday.

“When you’re at the top of the League or you’re playing well teams want to beat you,” added Collins.

“Their players who play to five-out-of-ten most weeks will play to a seven and an eight.  It will be a tough game. 

“The only thing is we’ll have Alex Waugh back in the fold.  He’s cup-tied in the Vase after playing for Canterbury City.

“Mark Okoye, who we’ve signed from Greenwich Borough, he’s had a slight knock so he’s back available. All of a sudden we’ve got numbers back, which is great.”

VCD ATHLETIC boss Ricky Bennett hopes Erith & Belvedere enjoy a good run in The FA Carlsberg Vase so his side can snatch the Kent League title.

The Crayford side left it too late against the Deres last night as striker Michael McKenna came off the bench to grab two late goals inside the final nine minutes.

Vickers are in fourth-place in the table, six points behind, but with a game in hand and Bennett hopes Collins’ side take their eye of the main prize – promotion.

They welcome Deal Town to Oakwood on Saturday.  Derek Hares’ side, who will face Binfield at home in the Second Round of The FA Carlsberg Vase next month, are in eighth-place in the table, with 16 points from ten games.

Bennett said: “We’ve got to regroup and go again.  We’ve got Deal at home on Saturday in the League.  If we put a run of results together and concentrate on trying to win this League.  We’ve got a game in hand as well. It’s the Kent League, it doesn’t matter at this stage who’s top, just as long as they’re not too far in front.  Teams always drop points when you don’t expect it so we’re still in it.”

Bennett, who was bitterly disappointed after his side crashed out of the competition at the first attempt, will now raise his side ahead of Saturday’s game.

“They’re a tricky side, we find anyway,” he said.  “They’re on a good run of form, I think, so it’s going to be a really tough game.  They enjoy coming to our place.”