‘We’re the underdogs’
FA Vase Ebbsfleet
Corinthian boss Michael Golding insists his team are still the underdogs despite being handed home advantage in the FA Vase semi-finals.
The tie against Hebburn
Town was due to be a twolegged affair in March but was put on hold due to coronavirus.
The FA have since decided to make both semi-finals a oneoff match, and Corinthian came out of the bag first in Thursday’s draw so they get the honour of hosting the game at Gay Dawn Farm this Saturday – tickets for the game sold out within hours last weekend.
“I’m very happy to be at home,” stated Golding. “It gives us a fighting chance. To be honest I wouldn’t have minded going away as we’ve already proven in the Vase, when we won at Sheppey and Chatham, that we can do well away.
“Hebburn are still massive favourites but it gives us a little boost. The fact it’s a one-off game changes things as well and I really hope it’s a good piece of skill or play that wins the tie rather than a mistake or a bad decision. “The bookies have got Hebburn as favourites to win the competition so we’ll go into it as the underdogs and our little Corinthian tag. But we know that if we play to our potential, are organised on the day and get a little bit of luck then we’ve got a chance.”
The fact the 2019/20 FA
Vase competition will still be running – the final is at Wembley on September 27 – when the 2020/21 version gets under way means there might need to be a change to the rules.
Can players who featured for other teams in the FA Vase now play for their new club? Will dispensation be given for summer signings to take part?
Golding doesn’t think that they need to worry too much, having kept the majority of his title-chasing squad together from last season. “Retention is the biggest thing for us, it’s a big reason for our success,” said Golding.
“We’ve lost three players from the squad and have added three.
“Naturally, with the type of club we are, there was going to be interest from a number of clubs in our players.
“The potential that a Wembley final in the FA Vase could be 90 minutes away might have helped them stay but also the fact they feel a sense of injustice in the league after it was declared null and void last season.”
Gillingham are taking no chances on the injury front ahead of their first competitive game of the 2020/21 season. Steve Evans pulled two of his new signings out of their final pre-season match at Leyton Orient on Saturday in a bid to avoid any bigger issues. Christian Maghoma and Kyle Dempsey were both taken out of the starting XI and Evans will hope they can play a part this Saturday when the Gills take on Southend United at Priestfield in the Carabao Cup first round. Evans has already admitted his team won’t be fully up to
Ben Chapman was on target for Ebbsfleet United in their friendly defeat against Dagenham & Redbridge. Summer signing Chapman, formerly of Gillingham, had also scored in Fleet’s midweek game against Punjab United. Dagenham, managed by former Fleet boss Daryl McMahon, levelled the match through Paul McCallum, a shot that went in off the post past new keeper Tom Hadler. Fleet’s display was described as “bright and purposeful” but two late goals from Dagenham ensured they ran out 3-1 winners.
Gillingham were beaten 1-0 by Leyton Orient, conceding a late goal after a mistake from defender Jack Tucker. The centre-half missed a clearance and that allowed Danny Johnson to run in on goal and he chipped keeper Jack
Bonham to score.
“We committed suicide with a silly individual mistake,” commented Gills boss Steve Evans.
“Jack made a big mistake and he will learn from it. He made two or three early in the game and it is concentration, it is the difference between six months off.
“You can’t make errors like that and expect to win a football match.”
Sittingbourne took on a Gillingham under-23 team in an early kick-off on Saturday watched by 167 spectators.
The visiting youngsters beat the Brickies 1-0 in a wellcontested match, thanks to an 80th-minute goal from Toby Bancroft.
National South side Tonbridge Angels beat Carshalton Athletic 2-1, the winner coming in the 86th minute through Jack Parter, struck from outside the box.
Ben Greenhalgh had earlier put the Angels ahead before Carshalton levelled the scores just before the break.
Isthmian League Premier Division side Margate were away to Brentwood Town on Saturday.
The Essex side took the lead but were pegged back by a headed effort from Ben Swift. Two early second half goals put the hosts 3-1 up but Gate pulled one back before the end through substitute Harry Stannard.
Cray Wanderers twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at Burgess Hill Town, a second equaliser coming on 87 minutes through Joe Taylor, netting through a crowded box.
South East Division side Ashford United were beaten
2-1 by Saltdean United.
A crowd of 187 watched on as Cray Valley made the trip to Tilbury, but they saw no goals, as the game ended 0-0. Faversham Town were beaten 2-1byErithTownatthe Aquatherm Stadium.
Harry Harding had cancelled out Erith’s 17th-minute opener but the visitors scored an 84th-minute winner.
Herne Bay were up against Punjab United. Bola Dawodu and Kyron Lightfoot were among the scorers for Bay as they won the match 4-2. Ramsgate included new signing Roman Campbell in their starting XI against Uckfield Town, following his move from Folkestone Invicta. The 20-year-old former Gillingham pro has been described as the “perfect fit” by Rams boss Matt Longhurst. “He shares the same aims and ambitions and will be a fantastic signing for the club,” the manager said. Their game ended 1-1 with Kane Rowland on target for the Rams. Sevenoaks Town, meanwhile, enjoyed a 6-1 win over Langney Wanderers.
The fixtures for the Isthmian League have been released with the season starting on Saturday, September 19. Folkestone Invicta, who were sat in the Isthmian Premier in March before last season was declared null and void, begin with a trip to Worthing.
A goal from Ira Jackson, who has since joined League 2 Grimsby, secured Neil Cugley’s men a 1-0 win in the corresponding fixture last season in mid-February. Margate are also on the road with Jay Saunders taking his squad to Brightlingsea Regent. Margate host Folkestone on Boxing Day with the reverse fixture at Cheriton Road on Easter Monday (April 5).
In the South East Division, there is a derby at Woodstock Park on the opening day as Sittingbourne entertain Whitstable while Ashford United host Phoenix Sports at Homelands.