Kentish Express Ashford & District
Clarke back for Vase tie
Captain Gary Clarke is set to return as Kennington bid to pull off another FA Vase upset.
Midfielder Clarke missed the second-round win at Glebe after suffering a torn hamstring in their penalty shoot-out win over Fisher in round one.
He tested the injury in a 7-0 friendly victory over Tenterden last weekend and manager Dan Scorer is ready to start him when Ton meet Sutton Common Rovers at Homelands on Saturday.
“He’s feeling fit enough to start so I don’t see it as a risk,” said Scorer. “He’s in great physical shape for a 35-year-old anyway, one of the fittest players I’ve ever worked with or played with.
“He knows in himself whether he’s fit enough to play, he won’t push himself, he’s a sensible bloke.
“We’ll see how far he gets on the day but even an hour would be massive for us.
“He’s a natural leader and he could make the difference because he drives everyone forward and pulls the team through patches where we perhaps have to soak up pressure.
“He also pops up with the odd goal from time to time so it’s a massive bonus having him back.”
Sutton Common are top of the Combined Counties League Premier Division and set to be the toughest side Kennington have faced during their historymaking run to the third round.
Ton, who were awaiting confirmation from the council and police that a limited number of 150 fans can attend, have been frustrated in their efforts to learn too much about their opponents.
“We’ve not found out a great deal,” said Scorer. “It’s difficult because they’re in Tier 2 and we’re in Tier 3 so we can’t go and watch them.
“We can’t focus too much on them on this occasion. We have to take the opportunity to go out and play and see what happens.
“It’s going to be a tough game but we’ll stick to what we’ve been doing and hopefully it will be enough.”
Knockout matches often throw up unlikely heroes and Scorer sees a chance for winger Joe Fisher to make his mark on the season.
The ability is there but a suspension at the start of the campaign has hampered his involvement.
Scorer said: “He started the season suspended from a red card carried over and given the start we’ve had it’s been difficult for him to work his way in. He’s only had one 90 minutes, against Shoreham.
“He’s someone who needs to start pushing himself because he’s very, very capable and if he’s fit and wants to work hard for it, he’s one of the most effective players in the side.
“He got through 90 minutes in the friendly and played extremely well.
“He’s a composed player, an intelligent player, and he probably won three or four games for us alone last year coming up with a bit of magic on his left foot.”