EXCLUSIVE: Kevin Rayner expecting tough Combined Premier battle

Sportsdesk • Published 6 Jan 2012 06:00 Comments 1 Comment

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EXCLUSIVE

By Shakila Barabhuiya

GUILDFORD City manager Kevin Rayner is tipping Windsor to win all their remaining games - but for his side to win the league for a second consecutive season.

Windsor and the Surrey side occupy the top two positions in the Combined Counties Premier with Guildford six points ahead and currently in the driving seat.

But Windsor have a game in hand and play Guildford in the penultimate game of the campaign on April 21, making for an intriguing climax to the season.

Rayner, who has been in charge of the Guilds for three years, is not surprised Keith Scott's men are doing so well. Rayner exclusively told the Observer: "I wouldn't have expected anything else. They've got the biggest budget in the league by a long way.

"They're a good outfit and the manager's doing well."

With just over half the season gone, Windsor and Guildford have set the pace in the division losing just three games between them.

However, there was little to choose between the title contenders when they drew 2-2 back in October.

Ben Porter and Yashwa Romeo gave Windsor a 2-0 lead but the Guilds came back to snatch a draw.

And the Guildford manager has been impressed with the Berkshire outfit and expects them to be on their tails right till the end.

"It's turning into a good battle," said Rayner. "I expect Windsor to win every game, so we've got to keep winning ours. They will give everything to try and get above us but we will do our best to stop them."

If both clubs continue winning, Windsor would still be three points adrift of the summit and would have to beat Guildford in a potential title decider at Stag Meadow on April 21.

Guildford won the league last season but could not get promoted into step four of the English football pyramid due to a Football Association technicality with their ground, which still rankles with them to this day.

But they have made the improvements to go up this time should they win the Combined Premier and, having kept the same squad, know what it takes to be crowned champions.

"Not getting promoted last season has definitely given us extra motivation, that's what we're here for," Rayner went on.

"Last season, Chertsey were like Windsor, they had lots of money but we saw them off."

WINDSOR FC's trip to Dorking has been re-arranged for Tuesday January 31 after Monday's original fixture was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at The Meadowbank Stadium.

Keith Scott's men will now look to extended their current unbeaten league run to 12 on Saturday when they visit basement boys Mole Valley SCR (3pm).

However, Valley were the last team to beat the fledgling club in the league back in October when Liam Holden scored the game's only goal at Stag Meadow.

WINDSOR FC's Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy quarter-final against last season's winners Newport Pagnell Town will played at Stag Meadow on Monday, January 16 with a 7:45pm kick-off

Full quarter-final draw

Sandhurst Town v Abingdon Town Jan 10

Wantage Town v Holyport Jan 17

Windsor FC v Newport Pagnell Town Jan 16

Reading Town v Binfield Jan 10

This article appeared in Royal Borough Observer 05 Jan 12

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

ReganSweeney
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Jan 6, 11:40
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Who on earth are 'the Guilds'?! I don't think Guildford City have ever been called that before! Try 'City' or 'Sweeney'!

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