Clacton team manager Gary Kirk's words of warning (From Gazette)

Clacton team manager Gary Kirk's words of warning

11:20am Friday 17th July 2009 in

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CLACTON team manager Gary Kirk has issued a note of caution ahead of tomorrow’s Essex derby against basement boys Halstead.

The Seasiders are fourth in the table and have realistic ambitions of winning the title, especially after last weekend’s morale-boosting 13-run win at Cambridge Granta.

On paper, they appear clear favourites to win tomorrow’s encounter at Vista Road.

However, Kirk is taking nothing for granted and has warned his side to avoid complacency.

“If we perform to the best of our ability, showing our full spirit and determination, we should crucify most teams in this division,” he said.

“But we’re taking nothing for granted against Halstead.

“We’ve got everything to play for, in terms of the title, but then so have they because of their relegation fight.

“They’re learning and know what this division is about now, having beaten the likes of Bury St Edmunds.

“And if they play above themselves, and we play below ourselves, we might be in for a fright.

“We’ve got to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Last week’s win ended a poor run of form for the Seasiders, during which Kirk himself admitted the side were in a ‘slump’.

However, he still believes they are firmly in the hunt for their first-ever EAPL title.

“We’re definitely in with a shout,” he said.

“The key thing for us will be our last four games, because those matches are against all the top sides.

“That will be a crucial period and, if we can get some momentum going and go on a decent run, who knows what could happen?

“There’s no denying it’s been a difficult few weeks.

“Our form has dipped and we haven’t been helped by the weather, a few questionable umpiring decisions and injuries to key players like Jamie and Danny Rock and Michael Comber.

“But all sides have a blip during the course of the season and hopefully we’ve had ours now.

“It’s out of our system and, in many ways, our title challenge starts now.”

Meanwhile, the Seasiders will be taking part in the inaugural EAPL Twenty20 competition in Cambridge on Sunday.

They will face Bury and Cambridge Granta in a south section round-robin, with the top side facing the winners of the north section – either Swardeston, Vauxhall Mallards or Norwich.

The winners of that game will then take part on finals day, against the winners of the various other Premier Leagues in the UK, in match to be shown live on Sky TV.

Namibian Craig Williams is unable to play because overseas players are ineligible.