HOOPS V BECKENHAM TOWN PREVIEW

The Hoops face one of their toughest league challenges of the season on Tuesday with a home game (7.45pm) against a Beckenham Town side who have been in the top two since the middle of September.
Jason Huntley’s side led the table for over four months before Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Sheppey and Hoops assistant-manager Steve King knows that “Becks” will be looking to bounce back quickly at the Charles Ground. He said: “It goes without saying that Beckenham are enjoying an excellent season and they have a very talented squad of players, most of whom have plied their trade at a higher level.
“We know that we will need to be at our best to get anything from the game but it is one that the players are looking forward to, and we also know from our run in the FA Vase that we can match any side at our level on our day.”
And the Hoops will go into the game lifted by Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Punjab Utd, with “Kingy” adding: “The boys worked really hard to dig out a deserved win. It was a great response after a tough couple of weeks and it was good to see both Connor Coyne and Alfie Foster get on the scoresheet.
“January was an amazing month for the football club but it also took its toll both mentally and physically and our league form has suffered as a result.
“We have had a number of players missing recently which has not helped our cause but it is pleasing that we are now getting players back. Macca Murray and Ben Cardwell are both on the verge of returns and we have also welcomed back Sam Wilson which has given us the strength in depth needed in the squad.
“Jack Penny meanwhile has signed for Thanet United on dual registration for a month so he can get some 90 minutes under his belt before we head into the busy last few months of the campaign. We now have 14 games left where we will be looking to finish as strongly as we can to set ourselves up for next season.”