Nothing is ever taken for granted in football. It could be a very good week or a very bad week and we will all do our best to make sure it goes to plan, says AFC Croydon Athletic boss Kevin Rayner

AFC CROYDON ATHLETIC manager Kevin Rayner says his unbeaten side face a make-or-break week of Cup football.

The Rams are unbeaten in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division and sit in second-place in the table with 13 points on the board from five games, level on points with leaders Chatham Town.

Rayner’s men welcome Worthing United in The FA Vase First Qualifying Round tomorrow, before travelling to west London to play Hanworth Villa for their FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay to see which club travel to AFC Uckfield Town in the First Qualifying Round on 8 September.

“We entertain Worthing United in The FA Vase on Saturday and we are expecting a tough game as they have not started well and will be looking to kick-start their season at ours and we will need to be mindful of that,” said Rayner.

“We remain unbeaten at present and would love to keep that going for as long as we can.

“Our August targets we set were achieved and we would like to stay in The FA Vase and The FA Cup for as long as possible as it’s both financially good and raises the club profile.

“We will do all we can to stay in the competition on Saturday and then again on Tuesday night we will need to be at our best to remain in The FA Cup against Hanworth Villa.

“The squad is looking forward to the two games and hopefully we can get the results and that bit of luck to progress.”

Rayner has a big squad to choose form this season and made changes for their 2-0 home win over Rusthall on Bank Holiday Monday.

“We had four players having their first start on Monday in the last league game against Rusthall and we will utilise the players in both up and coming games,” said Rayner.

“Our squad is very strong this year and is needed as we have a lot of games at the moment. We have changed the team in every game so far this season and would expect changes again tomorrow and Tuesday.”

Looking ahead to their massive week of cup football, Rayner insists: “Nothing is ever taken for granted in football. It could be a very good week or a very bad week and we will all do our best to make sure it goes to plan.”

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

AFC Croydon Athletic  v  Worthing United
The Buildbase FA Vase First Qualifying Round
Saturday 1 September 2018
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Mayfield Stadium, off Mayfield Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey CR7 6DN