Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Smith aims to add spark to mis-firing attack
Canterbury City
Ben Smith admits he is running out of patience with Canterbury City’s lack of goals. He endured another frustrating evening as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Bearsted on Tuesday, with former Herne Bay striker Andy Irvine getting the winner 20 minutes from time. Smith said: “It was same old problem, just not scoring. Bearsted were probably the weakest team we have played this season. It’s all right saying it, we have got to beat them.” “We had a few chances but lost Matt Martin with a dead leg early on and with no Gary Mickelborough in the side, lost out on getting behind them, which both players give us the option of doing.” He added: “It’s frustrating and hugely disappointing and a sign of madness if I don’t consider doing something about it. “Whether it’s changing formation or style, I don’t know but I am quite pleased that we play good football, bringing it out from the back and trying to do it the right way but it’s results that matter. “Eighteen goals in 16 matches tells its own story and while I will continue to show faith in my players, I must keep looking if there is anyone available to bring in and give us the spark we need. “People look at our team and tell me it’s a Ryman League side in all but name but while we haven’t got the budget to think about winning titles, we are looking to do better than being mid-table.” Alfie Nunn, with his second league goal of the season, provided City’s late winner in their 2-1 victory over Erith Town on Saturday, after trailing 1-0 at half-time. Substitute Martin got the equaliser six minutes after the break. Smith was left to again bemoan a lack of firepower that would have wrapped up the points earlier. He said: “We had five one-on-ones and didn’t take any of them. Nine times out of 10 this season we have controlled games – the only three exceptions being Cray Valley, when were poor; Sevenoaks, when we had no legs; and the 0-0 draw against Crowborough on the opening day of the season, when Daren Hawkes had a worldy.” City travel to third-placed Crows in the return meeting on Saturday (3pm).