We've got to pick up league wins, demands Gibbons

Despite winning three games in the FA Vase this season, Tunbridge Wells are still searching for their first Kent League win of the season, collecting just two points from their first ten outings, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Culverden Stadium outfit travel to Thamesmead Town (Thursday) and Beckenham Town (Saturday) in the Kent League Cup group stages.

But assistant manager Steve Gibbons insists his side must collect a victory in their next league game, at Slade Green on Saturday, 11^th November.

Speaking in his website notes on www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk Gibbons insists it’s time for the team to start turning their cup form into league points.

He said: “It’s incredible that since the last bench notes in August two months have zoomed by, and in two months we still haven’t managed to get a win in the league.”

Wells have scored 15 goals during their FA Vase campaign, knocking out East Grinstead Town (3-2), Farnham Town (6-1) and Pagham (6-1) but have only picked up draws in the league against Erith & Belvedere and Faversham Town.

Gibbons, who was forced to play in goal during their recent 2-0 defeat to Beckenham Town, said: “We have managed to get through a couple of rounds in the Vase with so good performances and it seems that we had turned a corner when we went on a six game unbeaten run - then the wheels came off.

“When you look at our league position and after watching a few performances in the cup, it’s hard to imagine that the side people are seeing are the basement team in the league.

“The league table doesn’t lie. We need to translate some of those exciting cup performances into good solid league performances - and fast.

“Not even a good performance. An ugly, lucky, own goal or deflected winner to get us three points will do.

“But as long as the team are tying and not giving up, when it’s not going right, then the wins will come.

“I am confident we can climb the league and show the potential this team has.”

With their budget cut at the start of the season, Tunbridge Wells have fielded a young side this season.

But Gibbons admitted they need their youngsters to grow up fast to enable the club to climb up the Kent League table.

“Looking at the team we only have a young side,” he said. “That’s not an excuse at all, that’s a real plus for Tunbridge Wells.

“We have a very young centre back putting in performances at a level way beyond his years and a lot of the other players are all about 21-years of age.

“The older heads of Andy Garrett and Adrian Hatcher, with the skipper Jason Bourne, providing the experience, getting the balance right is a difficult thing but in time it will come good.

“A team needs to go through a run like this to build a bit of character. You can see who is up for the fight and who will run and hide when it starts getting a bit difficult.

“The players want to get the first league win under their belts and make something of this season.”

Visit Thamesmead Town's website:  www.thamesmeadtownfc.co.uk

Visit Tunbridge Wells' website:  www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk