We've silenced our critics with Cup romp, says Cosgrove

ERITH & BELVEDERE joint-manager Chris Cosgrove believes his side have answered their critics during today’s 4-0 FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round win over lower league Lancing, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Deres boss asked fans to “calm down” inside his programme notes following their 3-0 home defeat to Slade Green on the opening day of the Bulmers Cider Kent League at Park View Road eight days ago.

But the quick-fire Deres booked a trip to another Sussex County League side in the shape of East Preston in the preliminary round in thirteen days time.

Aiden Pursglove scored the first of his two goals after just 112 seconds against a Lancing side that play in the second tier of Sussex County League football.

And his strike partner Sam Prett doubled the lead inside the opening six minutes and despite a ten-minute spell around the half-hour mark, the Kent side were clearly the best team.

Their third goal arrived through Pursglove with six first half minutes remaining, against the run of play at the time, before a 30-yard screamer from substitute Andrew Brown polished off a good performance during injury time at the end.

“We came out with all guns blazing,” Cosgrove admitted, when speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards.

“I feel in the first twenty minutes we had a lot to prove because of the Slade Green performance, which was very disappointing.

“The boys answered the criticism, that they deserved, and they’ve answered it in the best possible way, coming out like that for the first twenty minutes.”

But the Deres didn’t have it all their own way, with the post twice saving them and goalkeeper Billy Webb also in fine form.

“The post saved us a couple of times and the keeper done some good saves,” said Cosgrove.

“Give Lancing credit, they’re not a bad side. You’re playing in the FA Cup, you don’t get easy games and you don’t dominate teams for ninety minutes. They’re going to have good spells in the game.

“But I feel we over rose their pressure and got a foothold back into the game. Eventually we got a second half goal and could have got more.

“Credit to Lancing, they battled on until the end, but I’m really happy with the 4-0 win in the end.”

Cosgrove was forced to make six changes to the side that stumbled against a much-improved Slade Green side, those injuries including goalkeeper Matt Bromby, defender John Farley and midfielder Austin Berkley, who are all nursing groin injuries and strikers George Fenwick and Joby Thorogood were both attending the same family christening.

Cosgrove said: “I can’t complain with the lads that came in, they done a good job. We got our line fifteen yards up the field, putting them under pressure, where last week we dropped too deep. We spoke about it in training and we got it right.”

Cosgrove welcomes Faversham Town to Park View Road next Saturday, aiming to win their first league game of the season.

The Lilywhites were the only Kent side to be dumped out of the FA Cup this weekend, losing 2-0 at home to Sussex County League side Horsham YMCA.

And Cosgrove said: “I’ve learnt that every game in this league is a battle and if you’re ten percent of your game you’re going to get beat.

“We have to be 100 per cent ready for each game and we’ll see what happens. 100% commitment is needed and if you put your foot of the pedal, you’ll get punished.”

Each time that www.kentishfootball.co.uk covers Erith & Belvedere’s matches, they impress, only for Cosgrove to come out with bold statements, and this inspires their next opponents and that’s when the Deres come unstuck.

The abject display against Slade Green followed their first ever victory over Football League opposition when Coca-Cola League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge were beaten 4-2 in their last friendly.

The Essex side have since won their first two league games to top the table and Cosgrove admitted his side went into their first league game with the wrong attitude.

“The problem we had against Slade Green (was that) we beat Dagenham & Redbridge, the first time this club has ever beaten a League team,” he said.

“It’s nice to have a swagger and confidence but we brought too much swagger and confidence into the Slade Green game and paid the penalty for over confidence, which we’ve learnt.

“We treat every game like a Cup final, which we’ll do for the rest of the season.

“With this team, I’ve got a bit carried away with myself and the performances, but the consistency levels is what we’re working on.

“On our day we’re capable of beating anyone but on our bad day we beat no-one and that’s what me and the coaching staff are working on, our concentration skills and consistency.

“Hopefully we can do it right and if we do get it right we’ll be close at the end.”

Cosgrove takes his side to Sussex side East Preston in the preliminary round in thirteen days time - a side that’s currently in the bottom three in their division.

Erith & Belvedere must win five more games to make it through to the first round proper of The FA Cup - something that the former Greenwich Borough boss craves.

“Five games to the first round, which is every manager’s dream,” said Cosgrove. “It’s a long way to go but we’ve all got dreams in life and we’re a step closer.

“I’ve never been in the first round, has the club been in the first round? I don’t think the club has! It’s the dream us little clubs has, away to Leeds on Sky Sports would be nice. I’m not predicting it, but lets work hard to make that dream come true.”

Visit Erith & Belvedere’s website: www.erithandbelvederefc.co.uk

Erith & Belvedere v Faversham Town
Bulmers Cider Kent League
Saturday 23^rd August 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY