We'll have to be on our game to progress to the next round, says Bearsted boss Kevin Stevens

BEARSTED manager Kevin Stevens says his side will have to be on their game to beat Banstead Athletic in The FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round on Tuesday night.

The original game was postponed on Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch at Merland Rise but Stevens will be back in the dug-out having missed their opening two games of the new season.

Carl Taylor’s side, meanwhile, kicked off their Combined Counties League Premier Division South campaign with a 1-0 defeat at much-fancied side Walton & Hersham on 3 August.

“Really looking forward to our game tomorrow night away to Banstead, especially after missing our first two games,” said Stevens.

“There is always a bit of added excitement playing both the Vase and FA Cup games.  Added to that the prize money is important to clubs like ours, if you can put a decent run together.

“We’ve done our homework on our opposition, as always.  They are a well-organised side who we’ll have to be on our game to progress to the next round.”

The Bears, meanwhile, travel to Tadworth sitting in the bottom-four in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table, having started their campaign with a 5-0 home defeat to Glebe, before bouncing back with a 2-2 home draw against Crowborough Athletic three days later.

“Our form in our first couple of league games, I’m told, hasn’t been too bad,” said Stevens.

“We came up against a good Glebe side who took their chances well on the day.  We actually played some good stuff for the most part but sloppy defending let us down.  You can’t afford that playing the better sides, they will and did punish us.

“We shot ourselves in the foot at home to Crowborough.  We went in front twice and conceded really sloppy equalisers.

“Looking at the video I thought we done more than enough to take all three points.  Again, you can’t switch off against any opposition.

“I’ve got a young side who I think will learn really quickly from their mistakes and are capable of doing well at this level.

“Hopefully they can perform well tomorrow night against Banstead and get our first win on the board.  There’s no better time to do so.”

Visit Bearsted's website: www.bearstedfc.co.uk

Banstead Athletic  v  Bearsted
The Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Tuesday 10 August 2021
Kick Off 7:30pm
at Merland Rise, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 5JG