Goalscorer Conlon ready for league opener

Sam Conlon is ready to make up for lost time after being sidelined for four months. The Canterbury City striker (pictured) scored one goal and made another on his debut in the 3-0 FA Cup extra preliminary round win over Bridon Ropes at Charlton on Saturday. City now host Southern Combination League side Pagham in the preliminary round next weekend but with Ashford United also at home, the tie could be switched to Sunday. He said: “They were up for it and came out all guns blazing. We weathered the storm but the second half was more comfortable.” Chris Webber and Jordan Casey added the other goals. City start at home to Crowborough Athletic in the Southern Counties East League on Saturday before facing Conlon’s former club Ashford United at Homelands on Tuesday. The striker was ruled out for long spell last season. He moved to Whitstable from Hythe, only to suffer a season-ending knee injury in February. Conlon said: “I damaged my posterior cruciate ligament in February and didn’t play again until starting pre-season training.” “I want to start the season well and help the team build on that first win and progress. “They play the game in the right way and I hope we can do well this season.” Kent Reliance Senior Cup first round draw: Hythe v Gillingham, Chatham v Welling, Folkestone v Thamesmead, Ebbsfleet v Sheppey, Sittingbourne v Ramsgate, Bromley v Maidstone, Cray Wanderers v Dartford. Second round: Phoenix Sports v Charlton, Tonbridge v Bromley or Maidstone, Greenwich v Margate, VCD v Hythe or Gillingham, Herne Bay v Dover, Sittingbourne or Ramsgate v Ebbsfleet or Sheppey, Faversham v Folkestone or Thamesmead, Chatham or Welling v Cray Wanderers or Dartford. Kent Reliance Senior Trophy, first round: Rochester v Eltham Palace, Lordswood v SC Thamesmead, Beckenham v Sevenoaks, Fisher v Lydd, FC Elmstead v Kent Football Utd, AFC Croydon Ath v Erith Town, Corinthian v West Wickham, Meridian v Canterbury, Tunbridge Wells v Crockenhill, Rusthall v Erith & Belvedere, Deal v Holmesdale or K Sports, Cray Valley v Hollands & Blair or Snodland, Whitstable v Orpington, Glebe v Bearsted, Sutton Ath v Ashford, Lewisham Borough v Gravesham Borough or Croydon.