Kentish Express Ashford & District
RUGBY
Danny Lye agrees the battle for the Southern Counties East League title is now only a two-horse race.
Wins for Premier Division rivals Ashford United and Crowborough and defeats for nearest rivals Sevenoaks and Sheppey made Saturday a significant day at the top of the table.
United play a day later this weekend for the second time in a fortnight, allowing their East Sussex rivals the chance to regain top spot, at least for 24 hours.
The Crows host Erith Town on Saturday, while Lye’s men visit Cray Valley for the second time in four days, having been due there in the quarter-finals of the Macron League Cup last night (Wednesday).
Lye said: “Sheppey were out of the running a few weeks ago but Sevenoaks losing means they are now eight points behind.
“Whitstable are on a great run. I don’t think they can win the league but they can certainly help us do it, because they have still got to play Crowborough twice and are a tough nut to crack.”
“We have got a tough March and April against the likes of Hollands & Blair, Sevenoaks, Crowborough and Whitstable, all in successive weeks and the Kent Senior Trophy final – lots of games which will decide what happens.”
Meanwhile, Lye says United winning their Football Association appeal last week – to be considered for promotion after missing the November 30 deadline – is the perfect boost as the run-in beckons.
He said: “There was certainly more of a buzz around the ground on Saturday and the fans definitely appreciated the news, they were happy and loud. I have tried all along to play things down in the dressing room but what it does do is put more pressure on the players to go and win the league.”
Chief executive Denise Peach, who put the club’s case in a personal hearing at Wembley last Wednesday afternoon said: “It’s great and I am over the moon. Onwards and upwards.”
Chairman Derek Pestridge added: “It was devastating when we heard we missed the
‘There was certainly more of a buzz on Saturday’
deadline.
“I was delighted, having been on edge all day, then we had to wait 24 hours before the the email came through confirming the news.”
Lye has confirmed that midfielder Jason Goodchild turned down a move to Greenwich Borough. He said: “He spoke to them but wanted to stay with us. I am glad because I worked so hard to bring him to the club.”
Lye was set to ring the changes last night with Shaun Welford, Pat Kingwell, Rory Hill and Ben Davisson all rested, with United hoping to join, Whitstable, Sheppey and Sevenoaks in the last four.