Once again First Team boss Gavin Rose has taken time out of his busy schedule to speak to the Hamlet Pitchero team

A new signing, Tom Skelton, from Sittingbourne. How did he come to Champion Hill?

"Basically, he approached us, as he wasn't getting much of a chance there. He's been training with us for about a month, & Tuesday night was the first opportunity for him to play in the First Team. He's quite local anyway, from the Eltham area."

Junior James scored two goals in the same game, against Corinthian-Casuals, in the London Senior Cup. He's Kevin's brother isn't he? Where has he come from, & is it the end of Kevin now, with the young bro on the block coming through?

"Ha,ha...yes he's Kevin's younger brother! Junior is about 23 or 24, I think. He played for Lewisham Borough last year, but has had bad luck with injuries, he's not had a good run for at least three or four months. We'll see how it goes, if he gets fully fit he could be a good addition to the squad. He's got a natural eye for goal, and will get sharper the fitter he gets."

Abdul Mansaray played his first game, & scored his first goal...another good prespect from your ASPIRE Academy coming through the ranks of our Youth Team. Tell us more about him.

"He has been with us for the best part of two years. A diminutive player, small with a lot of pace. It's good to see talent like that coming through. With games like Tuesday the result isn't everything, sometimes we can take risks and play these boys."

Onto injuries, fingers crossed, looking better. Frankie Sawyer was in the Reserve Team squad on Wednesday, coming off the bench, Ethan Pinncok is getting a little closer to returning, & I hear Gerry Gonnella is due an operation in a few weeks.

"Yes, Frankie had a little run out, coming on in the second half, I'd say he's about two weeks away. Ethan will still be a month or two before he's in contention. Gerry will finally have his big operation at the end of January, he will be out for the whole season, but when he comes back, with the operation going to plan, he will make a full recovery, & back to his old self, hopefully."

And in goal Phil Wilson is firmly established. What's happened to James Tedder?

"He had an operation last season on his wrist,but it didn't quite heal right. Workwise he's also doing the Knowledge, & he's at a crucial stage of that, if he want to be a cabbie. So he's only really got the time to concentrate on one or the other. He can't afford to fail his next Knowledge examination, so his work is taking preference. He's still in my long term plans, but short term...no."

Away to Folkestone tomorrow will be tough, especially with Ellis Green & Luke Hickie suspended. What do you think?

"Well I never expect anything from a game, anyway. It makes it harder losing those two, but we have other good players, I am hoping for a dogged performance, with everyone fighting for each other, for us to get anything out of it."

And then Wealdstone at home, in the League Cup on the Tuesday. A good test, perhaps, an indication of what we could be up against next season?

"We will be treating the game seriously, we want to win, what side we put out depends on Saturday though, after possible injuries & little knocks. They are a good team, with a much resepected manager, & are challenged near the top of the Premier division. So, yes, it is a good challenge to see how we face up against them, it's always a challenge to pit your wits against a stronger side."