February 2008

At the moment after a good first half of the season we sit in a good position to win the league and meet Blackham away in the semi-finals of the TW Inter Cup. The teams discipline has been a lot better this season and we are focussed on achieving a fabulous double for the Clubs only silverware this year. Players continue to support the reserves when asked and it’s nice to see them retain their place on merit although some may have defiencies in the training commitment dept.

Some will have seen from the Tonbridge League web-site that the team have been deducted three points for playing an un-registered player, namely Jeff Harrison against Penshurst, rest assured we have appealed and are confident of getting the points back confident that we are in the right.

In March I will be away for a couple of games so we will be looking for somebody to look after the team on match days.

Stuart Waters will be returning to the Club soon and should feature in our next game this Saturday.

Dave Rusbridge

December 2007

Most of theplayers in the third team squad are inconsistent, unreliable and unfit, that may seem harsh but that’s the reality and has been for several years now. After all barring a few new signings and some youngsters if they were fit, reliable and consistent they would no doubt be in the second or in some cases the first team, for what they all have is talent. Harnessing their respective talents is not easy, especially for a 20 game League campaign, this squad is more adapted to the Cup where they can turn it on once a month and reach a Cup final in four games.

I accept thisfact and work with it rather than against it all the time, giving chances and opportunities to new and young players when-ever possible.

This season we’vegot to halfway and lost and drawn a game, neither against a fellow title challenger, if we do the same in the second half of the season we’ll win the Division without doubt.

The third teamare enjoying their football this season, discipline has been better and several players have supported the teams above when requested, I’m not sure much more can be expected.

Finally one ofour more reliable and consistent players,’Giff’ had a son and heir last week, called Lewis, congratulations to Gina who despite a 30 hour labour managed to get the job done by Saturday.

Dave Rusbridge

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Having the manager resign a week before the first game is not the ideal preperation to start a season, but the 3rd team have rallied under the supervision of Dave Rusbridge to win their first three league games.

With all eyes on team discipline and good sporting behaviour the lads have settled down to some good performances so far, beating a young Pembury Res 3-1, an ageing Penshurst Park 6-0 and lastly just getting the better of Tonbridge Invicta Res 2-0. Star performer so far is Paul Gifford with John Brewer putting in two good performances, Dave Welch has only conceded 1 goal and has marshalled a mean defence well to provide a platform for the Banfield brothers and Toni Loderio to grab some goals.

As always it is unlikely to get a settled 3rd side but who-ever plays must maintain the good work ethics started so far, with players coming down from the 2nd's and others returning from Holidays, injuries and work commitments, as a club we can perhaps support the struggling fourth team with some decent experienced players. The fixtures ahead should be a good measure of what we can achieve as a team and we should remain unbeaten during October. It is good to see the 3rd's supporting the Club by paying their membership fees and returning to the Clubhouse after the games.

Keep it up lads, your still all on trial !