We're rising to the challenge, says table-topping Beckingham

HOLMESDALE joint-manager Tony Beckingham says his players are enjoying life at the top of the Bulmers Cider Kent League, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Bromley side are now five points clear at the top after 14 games, although they’ve played more games than Tunbridge Wells and Hythe Town.

Beckingham was pleased that his side came away from Slade Green with a 3-0 win yesterday, especially as the other two sides weren’t playing in the league.

“It was a good game for us,” Beckingham told www.kentishfootball.co.uk this afternoon. “We started off with a high tempo, kept the ball really well and we never really let them settle into the game.

“We create a couple of chances, that’s a really big pitch (at the Small Glen) and we used the flanks and I think we put them on the back foot really from the word go.

“It could have been a lot more at the end, but let’s not forget they did have one sent off (with us leading 2-0).

“All the time it was 1-0, to be fair they never stopped trying, but once we scored our second goal, I felt that was the winner really.”

Beckingham believes his side can handle the pressure of being at the top of the league.

“We don’t even talk about them (our nearest rivals), all we concentrate is on ourselves,” said Beckingham.

“We’ve got a little cushion, if the other teams win their games in hand we drop down a little bit but what it gives is no room, or little room, for slipping up.”

“I think they’re enjoying it really being at the top, competing up there and we’re rising to the challenge at the moment.

“You can see as the weeks go by their confidence is growing and their performances on the pitch are being reflected because of it.”

There will be added spice to Dalers’ next game - at home to Erith Town next Saturday.

“It’s going to be really difficult,” warned Beckingham. “Steve O’Boyle, their manager, he went there from us so obviously he’s going to have them fired up.

“They looked like they’re struggling for consistency other than anything else. They beat Tunbridge Wells away from home and have been a little bit inconsistent. They’re a good side. It depends on what side turns up next Saturday.”

Modest Beckingham, meanwhile, maintains his stance over the destination of the Kent League crown.

“If we’re still there with six to ten games to go then we’ll start thinking about winning the league. If we start thinking about winning league titles at this stage then we’ll slip up.

“I think we’ve proved we’re good enough to be up there - fourteen games in (and) we’re still top.”

Visit Holmesdale’s website: www.holmesdalefc.co.uk

Holmesdale v Erith Town
Bulmers Cider Kent League
Saturday 22^nd November 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At 68 Oakley Road, Bromley, Kent BR2 8HQ