The FA Vase is a competition we would like to still be in at the turn of the year, says AFC Croydon Athletic boss Kevin Rayner

AFC CROYDON ATHLETIC manager Kevin Rayner says all attention now turns to tomorrow’s home FA Vase First Round tie against Fareham Town.

 

The Rams ended a run of four games without a win by shocking league leaders Beckenham Town at Mayfield Stadium on Tuesday night, which was Beckenham’s second defeat on the bounce.

The Rams are in eleventh-place in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table with 17 points from 10 games – 10 points adrift of the leaders.

“After a great start to the season our away form had seen us slide down the table,” admitted Rayner, whose side were thrashed 4-0 at Sheppey United on their last road trip.

“Our latest away game at Sheppey was a miserable performance with many unforced errors compounding a poor day.

“We are unbeaten at home and just what we needed was the visit of high-flying table toppers Beckenham on Tuesday.  

“I knew we would give the performance that mirrored our early season form.  We were unrecognisable from the previous two games and deservedly ran out 3-0 winners in a solid and comfortable performance.

“We outbattled Beckenham in every department and we're too strong for them on the night.

“The league this year is wide open and we have beaten two of the fancied sides in Beckenham and Cray Valley and will need to be consistent with that type of performance to keep in the mix this year.”

AFC Croydon Athletic have beaten Worthing United (4-1) and Lingfield (5-2) so far in The FA Vase and Rayner is looking forward to the visit of Fareham Town, a side that are in the top six of the Wessex Premier Division table, with four wins and two draws from their opening nine league outings.

Rayner said:  “On Saturday our attention turns to the FA Vase and a home tie against Fareham Town.

“Both sides will be thinking they can progress and it's a competition we would like to still be in at the turn of the year.  

“We will need to carry on where we left off on Tuesday and hopefully that will be enough to see off a good Fareham Town outfit.  

“Saturday is Non-League Day and hopefully we may attract a few additional supporters to the Mayfield Stadium for this FA Vase tie.

“Our last two Vase ties saw plenty of goals as we progressed and hopefully we will have the same type of game on Saturday.”

Visit AFC Croydon Athletic’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/afccroydonathletic

AFC Croydon Athletic  v  Fareham Town
The Buildbase FA Vase First Round
Saturday 13 October 2018
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Mayfield Stadium, off Mayfield Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey CR7 6DN