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Scramble for Conference starts next week

Sunday, August 10 2003

HITCHIN TOWN`s bid for a place in the new-look Conference begins next Saturday with a visit from Harrow Borough.

Neither the Canaries or Harrow are tipped to make the top 13 cut by the bookies, but with almost all the Ryman clubs arming themselves for a battle royal, this could be the most competitive Premier Division in years. Failure could result in a de facto relegation to a parochical regional division.

All this adds up to increased pressure on clubs like Hitchin, but Manager Robbie O`Keefe remains confident. "The past two seasons have seen us make genuine progress as a club. We have a young team that will, I am sure, get better, and the new faces we have brought in will strengthen us. We have the resources to make the top 13."

The smart money is being placed on Kettering, Canvey Island, St.Albans and new boys Hornchurch. Hitchin fans will get an early glimpses of all three teams.

Kettering, Ryman League debutants, were relegated from the Conference in May. They are looking for the quickest route back. They, like Hitchin, have placed their faith in young players. Canvey, runners-up for the past three seasons, will be among the front-runners, but the biggest threat to Kettering may come from St. Albans, who have signed well in the summer to strengthen a good squad.

In Essex, however, ambition seems to have become infectious. Canvey are well known for their "in-your-face" zeal, but Grays Athletic and Hornchurch have caught the bug. Grays went full-time in the summer, a move that has been derided by many, and Hornchurch, a sleepy commuter town on the fringes of London, has suddenly come alive to the sound of players counting their money.

Hornchurch have signed top names from the Conference and Ryman League and have even attracted a former Russian international goalkeeper, Dimitri Kharine. The Hornchurch ground, which doubles as an athletics stadium, is oozing ambition at the moment.

By the time September has ended, Hitchin may have a better indication of how realistic their own ambitions are. As well as the three favourites, Hitchin face Grays away, Kingstonian at home and come up against local rivals Bedford Town and Aylesbury United.

But first it is Harrow that concerns O`Keefe and his men. The past two seasons have seen Hitchin secure their Premier status with victories against Eddie Stein`s side. O`Keefe will be without the suspended Dean Brennan and Carl Drew.