Opposing Views Pre-Match - Erith & Belvedere v Kennington, SCEFL Premier, Saturday 08 October 2022
Posted by Deres Admin on 7 October 2022
The Opposing View - Erith & Belvedere v Kennington, SCEFL Premier, Saturday 08 October 2022
with Jon Lancaster, Kennington FC Chairman
- How has Kennington's start to the season been in your opinion?
We have lost games we felt we should have won, but have countered that with beating both pre-season title favourites Deal Town and Whitstable Town. We missed 2 penalties vs Stansfeld, which was disappointing, and were soundly beaten by both Rusthall and Lordswood. I feel that’s the way the season is going to go, apart from yourselves (Erith & Belvedere), everyone looks capable of beating anyone and will definitely make for an exciting season. We are still in the FA Vase, having won both games comfortably, and were beaten in a replay by Walton and Hersham from Step 4.
- Have Kennington had many changes over the off season?
Over the last few years we haven’t been used to many changes off season, but having gained promotion to the Premier Division it’s been an eye opener. I will never get used to the countless 7-day approaches, but it’s something we have to get used to when you’re a successful side. This season we have lost basically the spine of the side from last year….Gary Lockyer ( Ashford United ), Robbie Dolan (Folkestone Town ) and Gary Clarke (retired) and a couple of others who left for leagues below. However, we have been able to call upon our successful youth set up and the introduction of some players from local leagues, those players haven’t looked out of their depth in the games so far. I feel we’ll get better as the season progresses once the new additions have bedded in. It’s also important that we’ve kept our manager/coaches, we’ve all been together now for some time and remain ambitious for the season ahead.
- Views and prediction on the upcoming match against Erith & Belvedere?
One of the pleasing things this season is the fact we’ve kept 6 clean sheets, so I think it’ll be a tight game. Erith & Belvedere have clearly recruited well pre-season and are flying already. I’ll go Erith & Belvedere 1-1 Kennington
