Abbott's comments inspired my side to knock out Sittingbourne, admits proud Gorman

ERITH & BELVEDERE joint-manager Paul Gorman thanked an old team mate for helping his side clinch a place in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Kent League side dumped out Gary Abbott’s Sittingbourne 2-0 at Park View Road on Saturday, thanks to goals from Matt Johnson and Nick Smith.

When Abbott spoke to www.kentishfootball.co.uk following his side’s 2-2 draw against Crowborough Athletic leading up to the Park View Road clash, he claimed that “we’re not going to be on the end of a Cup shock. We’re going to go there positive, I’ve got to go there positive and yes, we are going to win over there.”

Deres’ management duo of Gorman, and especially Chris Cosgrove, are masters of stirring up their opponents, but the boot was on the other foot this time around.

The pair printed off Abbott’s comments and pinned them up inside the home dressing room and inspired their players to cause a FA Cup upset on Saturday.

“I wanted the boys to react to it - and they did!” Gorman, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk  tonight, said of Abbott’s pre-match comments.

“The first half it didn’t work but second half, give them their due, they showed why they’re in the Ryman, they’re a good team. Gary’s done well with what he’s got, but we showed in the second half, and at the end of the first, how good we are.

“The boys reacted in the right way, they got wound up. They were a bit nervous to start with but me and Chris are very proud of them and proud to manage them.”

Erith & Belvedere welcome either Godalming Town (Ryman One South) or Sussex County League side Arundel to Park View Road in the second qualifying round.

With Welling United also at home the date of the game will be switched to either Friday, 26^th September or Sunday 28^th, although Gorman wants the match to be played on the Friday night, enhancing his side’s chances of progressing even further.

“Hopefully the Cup run will take us another step further,” said Gorman.

“The next game, against Godalming or Arundel, will be a very hard game again. Not taking anything lightly, we’re taking it one step at a time.

“It’s probably going to be a lot harder than the Sittingbourne game but Sittingbourne did beat Godalming and they’ll know we’ve beaten Sittingbourne and they will be more up for it than Sittingbourne were.

“Obviously, Godalming, I know from the past as I played for Guildford & Godalming. My brother Sean holds the record for most goals for the club about six or seven years ago. He then went to Basingstoke. I played for Guildford & Godalming as well and scored for them - I can’t remember when.”

The win stretched the Deres’ unbeaten record to seven games and all attention now turns to next Sunday’s home game against minnows Sidlesham in the second qualifying round of the FA Carlsberg Vase.

And Gorman warns his side against complacency, despite playing a side that’s rock bottom of the second tier of Sussex County League football with only two points from four league outings.

“I know nothing about them, because no disrespect to them, because we’ve not checked them out as we’re part time and they’re all the way in Sussex,” explained Gorman.

“I know they’re in division two but you have to be giving them respect. They will be coming at us like East Preston, who were bottom of their league and the boys will not be taking them lightly and they will be taking us all the way.

“The boys know if they turn up and think their going to beat them they’re going to have a big surprise.

“We’re not going to be complacent (but we aim) to keep our good run going and play attractive football.

“But everybody’s beatable on the day - it all depends on who turns up on the day.”

Visit Erith & Belvedere’s website:  www.erithandbelvederefc.co.uk

It’s FA Carlsberg Vase weekend with www.kentishfootball.co.uk as we’ll be covering the Kent derby between Faversham Town and Tunbridge Wells at Salters Lane on Saturday and this game at Park View Road the following day.

Erith & Belvedere v Sidlesham
FA Carlsberg Vase Second Qualifying Round
Sunday 21^st September 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY