Sevenoaks Town got their season off to the best possible start on Saturday as they beat Three Bridges 1-0 on the road in their opening match of the Bet Victor Isthmian League South East Division.
Starting their campaign with six squad members unavailable due to suspension and injuries, it’s not the kind of start any manager would have asked for. However, Micky Collins has built a 20-man squad capable of dealing with the challenges the league will bring this season, and after this display of maturity, it should be a good season for the club.
In a series of five games inside the first 15 days, Sevenoaks started their season on the front foot with a number of chances inside the first 15 minutes. They were composed in their play and had a energy in their purpose, which seems to be lacking from their hosts.
Ben Bridle-Card was in total command of his area whilst the defence restricted Three Bridges to lifting the ball from their own half.
Sevenoaks pushed on in the final third and were rewarded with their first corner of the match in the 34th minute. Striker Louis Collins managed to take a number of touches inside the box before his shot went just wide of the upright with the keeper beaten.
All square at half-time and everything still to play for, Sevenoaks came out in the same frame of mind and set to it again. Three Bridges continued to be frustrated by the Oaks defence and on 67 minutes Dan Parkinson had a tap-in at the far post to give the visitors a well deserved lead after some great work down the right hand side.
Sevenoaks continued to pile the pressure on their hosts and had a number of chances to take the game away from them including an arguable disallowed goal for offside. A 1-0 win on the road to kick things off, and a display of maturity from the whole Sevenoaks squad, what’s not to like about this game!
Manager Collins said: “It’s good to get off the mark, which took us a while to do last season, I think we’re a different animal this year considering how short we’ve been today. It’s a great performance to come here with six players missing and only three subs, it was great to get the win and keep a clean sheet against a tough side.
“We controlled the game well and should have won it easier in the end. We got in their area and created chances, unfortunately we didn’t have our shooting boots on today. However we’ve had a great pre-season, we’re ready, we’re fit enough and we’ve ticked a box today.”
On Tuesday night Sevenoaks face Whitehawk in their first home match at Greatness Park and Collins said that a few of the injured players should be back and available for selection. The match kicks off at 7.30pm.
