Toolstation/Hellenic Far too early to talk about promotion - Bitton boss
KYE Mountford says he is relishing every moment of being back in the semipro spotlight as head coach with Bitton.
The 35-year-old won his call to play a key part on the ambitious club’s management team in mid August following the departure of assistant boss Rob Sage.
Since his arrival, and that of Lee Rendall at the same time in assistant head coach capacity, Bitton have been downed just the once, a 3-2 early-September defeat by Brislington, en route to occupying pole position in the Toolstation Premier Division standings.
Next up at home tomorrow are more local rivals in Keynsham Town, a side Mountford admits are more than capable of upsetting the Rec applecart on the afternoon.
“They’ve done really well and they’ll be up for it,” Mountford warned, “just as everyone who plays us wants to knock the league leaders off their perch. In fact, the Western League as a whole is as tough as ever it was. It’s something we have to keep handling.
“It’s far too early to be talking promotion, even though it’s clearly our objective. We’re going in the right direction, for sure; but I won’t be satisfied until the ultimate goal has been achieved.
“Someone told me recently I had played 502 games at various levels, mainly in the Southern League as a poor man’s Roy Keane with the likes of Yate, Paulton, Clevedon and Bridgwater. When I did play, I was just like I am now in the dugout; never fully happy until the job’s done.”
Mountford took a break from football following two seasons playing and coaching with Paulton Rovers in the Southern League’s second tier.
“When the Bitton chance came up it was too good an opportunity to turn down,” he said. “I knew and played alongside many of the players here: Charlie Hitchings, Ben Withey, Mitch Tippins and Ash Kington among them. I never scored many goals as a holding midfielder, but I did get a few against Bitton as the chairman (John Langdon) reminds me!
“It’s been hard work; having such a key role occupies a lot of your time with all the phone calls and organising. Two months down the line I’ve had to shave my hair off!
“I like to do things my way; impose my own structure and philosophy, apart from at home where my wife is the boss! I’m extremely regimented when it comes to training; I won’t tolerate late arrivals.”
Mountford recalled: “Shortly before I took the job here five good players left, and we only had a small squad anyway. So I’ve been pleased with how well the lads have responded, not least with all the hard work they’ve put in on the training ground.
“Jack Ball and Liam Monelle both came in from Melksham Town and have done really well, and Adam Butcher, at only 17, has been looking the part upfront when coming on for Dean (Griffiths) and Jack (Ball),” added Mountford, who revealed a potential two new signings – centre-back and central midfielder - are in the offing “over the next week or two,” while winger Joe McLennan, left-back Jack Allward and attacking midfielder Matt Groves remain out through injury.
Meanwhile, second-bottom Ashton and Backwell United set out to add to their solitary win so far in the Prem when they entertain Bridport for a basement battle.
Cadbury Heath host Wellington in another key confrontation involving lower-placed teams, and high-flying Helston Athletic are at Clevedon Town’s Hand Stadium HQ.
Brislington are at Fairfax Park to clash with Bridgwater United, with both in mid-table territory.
Like Bitton, Welton Rovers are also enjoying life at the summit for now, in Toolstation First Division, where ten wins and two draws from a 12-match unbeaten opening have set West Clewes pulses racing.
Tom Smith’s unbeaten West Clewes team are at eighth-placed Bishop Sutton tomorrow eager to extend their nine-point lead over a second-placed Oldland Abbotonians outfit who have played a game more than the leaders.
Welton head into the fixture with confidence levels raised further by a 10-2 away crushing of South West Peninsula East strugglers Sidmouth Town in Saturday’s FA Vase second round qualifying affair in South Devon. It was the first time since 1974 Rovers had hit double figures, a feat sending them into a testing first round proper away bout with Hellenic Premier Division big guns Brimscombe and Thrupp on Saturday, October 23.
Smith said: “It’s exciting times on
all fronts, but the important thing now is to stay grounded. I have no concerns we won’t do that as the way the lads have been approaching all their games is first class. I don’t feel there is any extra pressure on us defending an unbeaten run. In fact, having that as a target can give you that extra kick.”
Far from resting on his laurels, Smith said: “We’re still looking to strengthen. It’s important we don’t stand still.”
Tomorrow’s hosts Bishop Sutton appear rejuvenated this term, just as they threatened good things last season before the Covid crisis intervened once more.
“Jon Toy has a good attacking team there,” the Welton leader said. “We’re not quite local rivals but a lot of lads from both camps know each other, so there’ll be a derby air about it,” predicted Smith, who expressed delight at welcoming eight-goal leading marksman Jake Slocombe back from work commitments,
although central midfielder James Batchelor sits out through suspension.
As for the Hellenic Premier Division, Cribbs welcome leaders Malvern Town to the Lawns for a toptwo contest which would see Richard Luffman’s men overhaul their Worcestershire opponents at the top if they win.
Hallen, overjoyed to have got their first points thanks to Wednesday’s 5-2 success at Brimscombe and Thrupp, host Westbury United targeting more of the same, while revitalised Chipping Sodbury Town go to Longlevens, Roman Glass St George – 4-1 midweek home victors over Royal Wootton Bassett Town - are at struggling Lydney Town, and Thornbury Town, held to a goalless Tuesday stalemate by visiting Corsham Town, face a tough trip to play a third-placed Brimscombe side reeling from their Hallen setback.