Preview Part 3
So, I’m halfway through my pre-season preview and kick off the second half with my own club, Hendon.
Hendon
Manager: Gary McCann
Last Season: 15th
Hendon Results 10/11: n/a
The one I’ve been dreading and am bound to come an absolute cropper on. I hate trying to assess where Hendon might or might not finish, particularly given my tendancy towards pessimism. Our big weakness last season was at the back, 81 league goals conceded tells its own story. Gary has certainly been working hard to alleviate that problem with the additions of goalkeepers Noel Imber and Sean Thomas, and defenders Ryan Wharton, Elliott Brathwaite, Brad Fraser and Liam Hind. James Fisher offers further cover defensively whilst further forward, the loss of Belal Aite-ouakrim to Staines has been offset by the addition of former Arsenal, Bradford and Brentford man Isaiah Rankin, who impressed in pre-season and Elliott Godfrey. Recent seasons have seen either a good start followed by a poor finish, or vice versa. Optimistically speaking, we have the depth and potential to launch a bid for the play offs, but we are equally likely to struggle to gel and scratch around the lower echelons of the table. I don’t think we’ll go down, so as usual, I think I’ll settle for 48 points as early as possible and enjoy anything more as a pleasant bonus.
Verdict: Survival / Mid table security
Horsham
Manager: Justin Luchford
Last Season: 17th
Hendon Results 10/11: Home L 0-3, Away W 2-1
I like Horsham. I like their kit, I like their fans, I like the cut of their gib and John Maggs always came across as a real and true gentleman. I was saddened to hear of the huge budget cuts that had contributed to the departure of Maggs and many, if not all, of the side who handed out a 3-0 hammering to us in front of hundreds of Manchester City fans in April. Former Faversham Town boss Justin Luchford has come in from Salters Lane and been tasked with keeping the Hornets in the Premier Division on what must surely be on of, if not the lowest budget in the division with an entirely new squad. Pre-season hasn’t been as good as perhaps he might have liked with 7-3 and 5-1 defeats recorded against Farnborough and Croydon Athletic respectively, and it does look as though a long season of struggle may lie ahead for the Horsham faithful. Nothing would give me more pleasure than being proved wrong, but I think, sadly, they may well fill one of the relegation spots.
Verdict: Relegation :-(
Kingstonian
Manager: Alan Dowson
Last Season: 7th
Hendon Results 10/11: Home L 2-3, Away L 0-3
The nearly men of the last two seasons following play off final heartbreak at Boreham Wood at the end of 2009/10 and missing out on extending their season last time around by a solitary point, the Ks under the shrewd guidance of Alan Dowson will be looking to go one better this term. Rob Tolfrey, Gary McDonald, Tom Hutchinson, Ian Selley provides as good a spine as you’re likely to find all season, and in Bobby Traynor probably the most consistent goalscorer in the division as well. The signing of Michael Gordon from Lincoln City looks exciting, and De’wayne Clarke’s move from Harrow also looks like a pretty smart addition from the Geordie. I have no doubt that they will be right in the mix once again, and would expect them to at least finish in the top 5. I suspect though that they may just miss out on automatic promotion though. One things that K’s fans can definitely look forward to is their annual 6 points and goal fests against Vale Farm’s number 1 club.
Verdict: Play Offs
Leatherhead
Manager: Mick Sullivan
Last Season: Play Off Winners, Ryman 1 South
Hendon Results 10/11: n/a
This is one away trip that I will look forward to above pretty much any other having never been to Fetcham Grove and having always had a lot of time for Leatherhead despite not ever having seen them play. Perhaps it’s the John Swannell link. The Tanners were one of four clubs at the top of Division 1 South to hit a century of league goals last season and will be looking for Tommy Hutchins, Greg Andrews and Sol Patterson-Bohner to make the step up to the Premier Division and provide enough goals to keep their heads above water. Chico Ramos is a more than capable goalkeeper but Sullivan will be hoping that their poor form in pre-season will not be a sign of things to come. He looks to be keeping faith with the majority of the squad that served him so well last season and they will need to adapt to the higher level of football quickly if they’re not to face a season of struggle. I hope they stay up, but suspect they may well struggle.
Verdict: A season of struggle
Lewes
Manager: Steve King
Last Season: Relegated from Blue Square South
Hendon Results 10/11: n/a
One of the surprise moves of the summer was the return of Steve King from Farnborough to the Dripping Pan where he achieved great success a few years ago with a Dale Binns-inspired Lewes side that won the Blue Square South in some style. King has been quick to overhaul the squad, and you can be sure that wherever he goes, a promotion challenge won’t be far behind. Paul Booth, Michael Malcolm, Nic Ciardini and Steve Robinson are amongst those who have followed the diminutive boss from North Hampshire and other new faces include the vastly experienced Dominic Sterling, Matt Somner from Blue Square Premier side Mansfield Town, whilst Mark Zawadski and perennial goalscorer against the Greens Jamie Cade have made the short trip down the road from Horsham. Dwayne Lee is another name that will be familiar to Ryman League supporters whilst former Football League striker Wade Small has been trialing in pre-season as well. It’s hard to look past a play off place given the quality at King’s disposal and his track record at getting clubs promoted. It’ll take a very good side to finish above them.
Verdict: Championship Potential, Play off bankers
Lowestoft Town
Managers: Craig Fleming and Ady Gallagher
Last Season: 4th
Hendon Results 10/11: Home D 1-1, Away L 1-8
Sorry Trawlerboys, look away now if you want to avoid the kiss of death. I think you’ll be the side to beat this season and most likely champions. Like Bury Town, Lowestoft had an outstanding debut season in the Ryman Premier Division and missed out on promotion in a thrilling play off final at Longmead being pipped by Tonbridge Angels by the odd goal in 7. I was lucky enough to miss our 8-1 mauling back in February but by all accounts, Lowestoft were extremely impressive that afternoon. There is plenty of goal threat with Matt Nolan, Jamie Forshaw, Michael Frew and Joe Francis ably backed up by Chris Henderson, newly arrived from Bury and of course, our very own Lubo Guentchev who enjoyed an excellent finish to last season for his new club. The loss of young defender Curtis Haynes-Brown to League 1 side Yeovil Town is a blow, but as he had a year remaining on his contract, it is fair to assume that the Glovers will have paid a fee for his services. Fans of the Trawlerboys will be hoping that the addition of Henderson and Guentchev will help break down sides who travel to Crown Meadow intent on holding out for a point. (Personally, I’d be happy keeping them down to 5 when we visit!)
Verdict: Champions-elect
17 clubs down, 5 remaining tomorrow. Be sure to tune in for my in-expert opinion on what the fans of Margate, Met Police, Tooting, Wealdstone and Wingate can expect. In addition, I’ll be briefly pre-viewing the visit of Concord Rangers on Saturday for the season’s curtain-raiser.
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