We're still looking at the target of 10 wins, says Holmesdale boss Fabio Rossi

HOLMESDALE manager Fabio Rossi says his injury-hit side are struggling with a loss of confidence after going down to their fifth successive defeat last night.



The Bromley outfit have suffered defeats to Deal Town (1-5), Tunbridge Wells (1-2), Horley Town (1-5 in the FA Cup), Woodstock Sports (0-2) before going down to a 4-0 defeat to Erith Town last night.

Holmesdale plummeted to the basement of the Kent League table after their heavy defeat against Tony Russell’s side, who are three points clear at the top courtesy of their 100% record in four league games – keeping four clean sheets in all.

Rossi, 50, says he has set a target for the season and he takes his side to Whyteleafe on Bank Holiday Monday looking to bounce back.

He said: “Looking forward to that. I’ve only been there once before and I can’t remember much about it!”

“I’m sure they’ll be another tough test so I’m looking forward to that one.

“We’ll be training on Thursday, we’ll work on a few things and then we’ll go down there and see how it pans out, give it a go.”

Whyteleafe, as expected, have found the Kent League a tough nut to crack and any thoughts that it would be a walk in the park to return to the Ryman League at the first attempt have simply turned to realism.

The Surrey side have picked up only one point from their first three league outings are find themselves in the bottom four.

The club has also been ditched by their local newspaper which has angered the loyal band of supporters at Church Road.

When asked what his side’s aspirations are for the season ahead, Holmesdale boss Rossi admitted: “Probably slightly lower now!  If I can get some players back, which we’re still looking, we’re still looking at the target we set at the beginning, so we’re looking at ten wins and if we can get that then that will be a reasonable season.

“We’re targeting certain teams who we feel we can beat.  Last night was always going to be tough. Erith are going to be a top four team, they can even win it.  I haven’t seen the others yet of the four teams we’ve played, they’ve been the best.

“We’re looking at teams in and around us that we can possibly beat. I don’t want to name them, it’s disrespectful to the tams but certain teams we’re targeting to try to get the points and we’ve got none. We’ve got nothing to crow about.”

Rossi added: “We are looking trying to get a little cup run but when confidence ain’t there it drains quickly. It’s very difficult to get going again so to get one or two more senior players, the 26-27 year olds then we might be ok, but we only had one player over 23 last night.”

Rossi takes his side to Westfield in the FA Carlsberg Vase First Qualifying Round on the first day of September and looking ahead to their game in Sussex, the manager said: “We know bits and pieces but we haven’t actually seen them yet but we will be going to have a look. We could do with the prize money. Obviously we don’t pay so every penny sort of counts.  They’re a step below but I don’t think that counts much.”

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

Whyteleafe  v  Holmesdale
Kent Hurlimann Football League
Monday 27^th August 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at 15 Church Road, Whyteleafe, Surrey CR3 5LA