Canvey Island coach Glenn Pennyfather expects his super-fit side to make an impression against League Championship outfit Gillingham at Park Lane tonight.
The corresponding friendly encounter last season saw the Kent team blast seven goals past the shell-shocked Gulls, but Pennyfather doesn't envisage a repeat performance from his Conference new-boys this time round.
"We caught them at the wrong time last season," he said. "They were only a week from starting their League campaign and we were still experimenting.
"I think they had seven shots and scored seven goals, although I must admit they did get some good ones.
"But we are better prepared this year and I have been pleased with the way our pre-season preparations have shaped up so far.
"This is definitely the fittest Canvey side I have ever seen. We came back a week early this summer and we have added an extra training night to our weekly schedule and it is paying off."
Canvey are still without frontman Junior McDougald (knee), but he has been pencilled in for a comeback during Thursday night's warm-up trip to Leyton. A striker who may figure against the Gills however is Cameroon trialist Ahmed Mouyouopkouop.
Published Tuesday July 27, 2004
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