City will take chance to regroup

Assistant manager Luke Farmer says Canterbury City will use this weekend’s break from competition to regroup ahead of their FA Carlsberg Vase away clash with Sevenoaks on September 7.

City suffered a disappointing Bank Holiday weekend, going down 3-1 at Erith Town on Saturday before losing 4-1 at home to Southern Counties East League newcomers Ashford United on Monday.

But Farmer, who was appointed along with manager Simon Pettit in May, pointed out: “It’s still early days yet and Simon and myself are still getting to know the players.

“But we already know we’ve got an honest team and will use this break to regroup, including having a double training session at Aylesham on Saturday.

“Playing Erith and Ashford, who are both in the top three, in the space of three days was pretty tough and the players started to show signs of tiredness against Ashford after starting the game well.”

James Gregory fired City in front against Ashford after just three minutes in what was the first league meeting between the clubs since April 1994.

But, after being in control for the first 25 minutes, City gradually lost their way and Kieran Byrne scored twice for Ashford before half-time and then further United goals followed in the second half from Michael Smissen and Tom Scorer. City (v Ashford): Mills, Gregory, Cornhill (Reid), Pettit, Gorham, Woodward, Bagley (Moore), Hemmings (Smith), Brown, Adams, Munday. Unused subs: Dollton, Atkins. Attendance: 152

Saturday’s defeat at Erith Town mainly arose from the home side coping better with the wet conditions.

After conceding two early goals, City were always on the back foot.

Erith went in front with just a minute gone when their skipper Russell Bedford scored with an overhead kick and before City had the chance to regain their composure the home side struck again through Kofi Quartey.

City did hit back on 12 minutes when Shaun Brown headed home from a Gregory cross but Erith regained their two-goal lead before half-time when Quartey scored again following a corner.

Although there were no further goals in the second half, Erith always looked the more likely side to add to their tally. City (v Erith Town): Mills, Shearing, Gregory, Cornhill, Woodward, Gorham, Bagley, Smith (Munday), Brown (Moore), Pettit, Dolton (Adams). Attendance: 56

Pictures: Barry Duffield FM 2766771 , left; FM 2766679, right; FM2766685, below; FM2766692, below left CUT AND THRUST: Canterbury City, burgundy, battle for possession with Ashford United during Monday’s Southern Counties East match