29th April 2006. 9.00am
After the euphoria of sealing the league title last Saturday,
The Stones can finish off their season with a possible Kent
League Championship and League Cup double this weekend. Martin
Ford's VCD Athletic stand in the way of Lloyd Hume and his
side and it is a game that Lloyd will be taking very seriously.
"We'll be approaching the game seriously, as I think
it is imperative that we win this game. I think that there
will be a lot of fans at Folkestone for this game following
last week's success and we don't want to let them down with
a below par performance. The bottom line is, we want to win
this cup, not just for ourselves but for the supporters."
However, the task will be made all the more difficult due
to two significant injuries that were picked up at Greatness
Park last Saturday. Sam Tydeman has not recovered from the
hamstring strain that caused him to come off after 40 minutes
and Nick Hegley is still troubled by the thigh strain that
caused him to be substituted at half time. Neither player
will be considered for selection. On top of this, striker
Leroy Huggins is ineligible as he did not sign for the club
until after the 1st Leg of the semi-final against Hythe Town.
To compensate for these absences, Andy Hart will be called
up to the squad and Lloyd Hume will be named as a substitute.
Jason Barton will start in midfield due to Tydeman's absence.
Hume added "I'm pleased that Jason will get a chance
in this game as he has been really unlucky to have missed
out in recent weeks. He was playing pretty well for us but
in our last few games we played an extra striker which meant
that we had to lose a midfield player and unfortunately that
was Barts."
We expect this game to be fairly physical, so we trained
hard on Wednesday night and that is one of the reasons that
I'm on the bench on Saturday rather than maybe one of our
youngsters. If needs be, I know that I'll be able to do a
decent job for half an hour or so."
20th April 2006. 4.00pm
It's the final day of the season on Saturday and it's
going to be a nailbiter with Stones needing a victory and
hoping that Beckenham drop points at Erith & Belvedere
to claim the Kent League title.
Thankfully, with the FA confirming a five league structure
for next season, Stones are assured of promotion, but the
League title would be the icing on the cake and well deserved
with just two defeats in the league all season.
But as ever, Alan Walker was concentrating on the forthcoming
game with Sevenoaks and looking for another professional performance
to ensure the three points on Saturday; "With the likelihood
of a big crowd, Sevenoaks will certainly be up for this game
and once again we will need to be professional and match that
desire on the pitch to be assured of the three points. We
have a job to do Saturday and that is to get the three points
to put us in a position to take advantage of any slip ups
by Beckenham.
We know that the nerves are beginning to show and I still
believe that they will struggle at Erith & Belvedere so
we can't afford to slip up this weekend. In the past few games
the lads have been professional in their performances, which
showed with Monday's comfortable win over VCD where we maintained
our composure whilst VCD could not and that bodes well for
the cup final in just over a weeks time. But sadly it is now
out of our hands."
The Stones have one minor injury worry ahead of Saturday's
game with Leroy Huggins looking to shake off a slight hamstring
strain to be in contention for a starting place on Saturday.
But apart from that, it's a full strength side for what is
set to be a day of celebration whatever the outcome of the
title chase. With estimates of a crowd of over 500, there
will certainly a party atmosphere where our hosts Sevenoaks
have made all the preparations necessary to ensure the day
goes smoothly and hopefully the ongoing celebrations too,
should the title return to Maidstone!
Finally, if you're not able to make the game, we'll be bringing
you live updates on The Stones Official Website together with
the all important goal updates from Erith & Belvedere.
16th April 2006. 11.30am
Stones go into Monday's game with VCD knowing nothing
less than victory is required to keep the pressure on Beckenham
in the chase for the league title.
It's also the Stones final home league game of the season,
and it's hoped that a big crowd will be there to support the
players as they seek to gain maximum points against a strong
VCD side.
In the last encounter between the two sides, the Stones struggled
to a 1-1 at VCDs temporary home at Harrow Meadow, but with
a full strength squad available and the recent addition of
Leroy Huggins, the Stones go into the game confident that
they have a side capable of beating VCD. VCD themselves have
had a hectic week having had to play 3 games last week, and
that pressure has begun to show with 2 straight defeats, but
Lloyd Hume knows that VCD may well have been saving themselves
for this game as they aim to put a dent in our title chances.
The permutations for the last two games are endless, although
making up the goal difference on Beckenham is probably now
out of reach. However, as we know from previous seasons, anything
can happen and to ensure Beckenham have to fight all the way
to the end, Stones will be going all out for the 3 points
on Monday.
11th April 2006. 11.30am
Wednesday night could be an historic night for the Stones
should they beat Deal Town.
Three points would guarantee a top two finish, which will
be enough to see the Stones promoted to Step 4 of the non-league
pyramid. Victory would also take the Stones back to the top
of the league as they attempt to push Beckenham all the way
for the Kent League title.
But Alan Walker played down these facts as he concentrated
on the task in hand of beating Deal on Wednesday night; "Saturday
was very disappointing in terms of our opposition, but you
can only beat what is put in front of you. I said in my post-match
interview that it was disappointing we didn't score more and
put an even bigger dent in Beckenham's goal difference, but
at the end of the day, I don't think it will come down to
goal difference as I think Beckenham will slip up in one of
their last 3 games."
As for Deal Town, they are a side of contrast, they can put
in some good performances but then can get beaten heavily.
We saw how good they can be when they beat us last season,
and when we played them earlier in the season, they started
off very well but then faded. So we have to be aware that
they can pull off a shock, and we will have to give to 100%
to ensure we win and get the 3 points."
The team news for Wednesday is encouraging with Jimmy Strouts
back in the squad after missing Saturday's game through injury.
After being rested Saturday, Lynden Rowland will be assessed
prior to the game before a decision is made on the starting
eleven. But apart from that the Stones will once again be
at full strength.
The players will have certainly been encouraged by the rapidly
growing crowds with another bumper crowd of 401 being treated
to 9 goals on Saturday. This pushed our average up to 327
for the season taking us further into the top 200 supported
clubs in the country and leaving us equal with our old friends
Bishops Stortford of the Conference South. So lets keep that
climb going with another big attendance Wednesday night where
your support will be as important as ever as we aim to finally
get the much sought after promotion...nearly there!
7th April 2006. 10.30pm
With Ryan Royston having fully recovered from a dead-leg,
Stones will onece again be at full strength for the visit
of Sporting Bengal.
However coach Alan Walker was wary of Saturday's opponents;
"People think it will be an easy game but they were 2-0
up against Erith last weekend, and we know the problems we
had against them. So we will show them respect and not be
expecting an easy ride."
The only injury worry for Saturday is the groin strain of
Lynden Rowland which he is still to shake off.
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