Kentish Express Ashford & District
League remains priority
Danny Lye wants to win the Kent Senior Trophy but says the Southern Counties East League Premier Division title remains his priority.
United have reached two of the last three county finals, only to disappoint in both.
They lost to Sheppey United in a penalty shoot-out at Maidstone United last season and 4-0 against Beckenham at Tonbridge in 2013, a match remembered more for the after-match brawl, which saw both clubs banned from the competition the following season.
In-form Whitstable – eight successive wins including seven clean sheets – stand between United and a place in the semi-finals and Lye is expecting another tough game against the Oystermen, after beating them 4-2 in the league early last month.
United are also in the last eight of the League Cup and face Cray Valley away on Wednesday, February 1 (7.45pm).
Boss Lye said: “We want to win both but if we lose in either, I won’t be too disappointed because the league is what matters.
“It’s going to be a battle on Saturday and we will probably set up slightly differently, looking to play in a more direct style.”
Whitstable boss Scott Porter said: “We have come a long way since then (the 4-2 league defeat).
“We were 2-1 up, should have had a penalty and had a goal disallowed. The referee had a big influence on that game.”
Luke Eldridge could return after missing the midweek win against Corinthian with a cold and Lye hinted at other changes in order to ensure all his squad are involved.
The young attacking midfielder was on target against Whitstable and has made a good impression in the senior team, since breaking into the squad during preseason with some impressive performances, earning himself a contract.
Lye said: “He has done well, has good skills and brings a lot of energy to the side.”
Another youngster, Luke Miller, has returned to Greenwich Borough after completing an extended loan spell at Homelands, scoring five goals in 14 games.
Lye added: “He came in at a time when Ryan Palmer was out of the side injured and his time with us served a purpose.”