Gower bemoans heavy end-of-season schedule

Canterbury City

Canterbury City’s gruelling last month of the campaign comes to an end on Saturday when they play Tunbridge Wells at home.

It will be City’s ninth match in the space of 25 days and manager Ada Gower said: “I know we are not the only ones but having so many games has just killed us.

“We’ve got such a small squad and most of the time the players on our bench are injured and we are only bringing them on if we really have to.”

And Gower, who is due to discuss his future with chairman Tim Clark after the Wells game, admitted: “Although they have offered me it (the manager’s job) for next season I’m a bit reluctant to do it again if there’s no budget because it means you are just making up the numbers compared to clubs with big budgets like Whyteleafe and Ashford.”

The gap in class between Whyteleafe, who wrapped up the Southern Counties East league title on Easter Monday, and City was underlined last Wednesday when the Surrey club, who Gower understands have a playing budget of £1,800 a week, swept to a 4-0 victory over Canterbury at Winch’s Field. The City boss said: “They are probably the best side we’ve played against, they are a very good footballing side who also work hard.”

City found it easier going last Saturday against bottom-of-thetable against Woodstock Sports, winning 3-1 thanks to a Rob Lawrence hat-trick.

Lawrence was unavailable on Easter Monday because of work commitments when City went down 4-3 to a late penalty at Beckenham, but Gower had no complaints about the outcome.

He said: “We were shocking, I think we gave them all their four goals, including the penalty, they were all due to defensive errors.

“We were 1-0 down in the first minute and I did fear we were going to ship seven or eight but then Beckenham (when they were winning 3-1 in the second half) just switched off and let us back into the game.”

City, who had gone in at the break trailing 2-1 with Liam Hrehorow scoring their goal, conceded a third goal early in the second half but Beckenham then relaxed and Canterbury took advantage with strikes from Lloyd Woolford and Alex Kendall only for Beckenham to score from the penalty spot.

Last night (Wednesday) City played their penultimate game of the season at home to Corinthian. Herne Bay Youth FC will be working in conjunction with the Kent Deaf Children Society to launch a new team for deaf youngsters.

Under-18 player Tom Mead, who has been with the club for more than a decade, was instrumental in bringing the organisations together.

Louise Henley from KDCS said: “We are delighted to learn that Herne Bay Youth are set on developing a football club for deaf girls and boys of all abilities.

“Along with the training the club has received, it is felt that KDCS can offer signposting, encouragement and support to deaf children at a local level so that they are confident in attending the club.

She added: “This is an excellent opportunity for deaf children in East Kent and we hope, like other deaf teams in Kent, that this grows in size and spirit.”

Herne Bay Youth are a registered Deaf Friendly Football Club and will begin coaching at the Community College, Whitstable. Deaf children and their siblings aged between 5-12 years can attend for £1.50 per session.

To book a place or for more information call Johann on 07557 334347 or email office@ kdcs.org

Faversham Strike Force will hold a trial day to attract new players seeking to play Kent League football next season.

The trial, for current under12s wishing to play under-13 football next season, begins at 10am on Saturday at the Mount in London Road, Faversham, and will last around three hours.

For more details call Gary Axford on 07739 599916.