Beckenham favourites? What are we going to have? Ten thousand people there on Wednesday night cheering us on? Chatham will probably have more supporters’ than us, says Beckenham Town assistant Billy Walton

BECKENHAM TOWN assistant manager Billy Walton believes his side are not favourites going into Wednesday night’s FA Vase First Round replay against Chatham Town.

The two top sides in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division played out a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes of football on a soaked artificial pitch at Maidstone Road on Saturday.

Scott Lindsey’s side grabbed the lead in the 63^rd minute when Byron Walker’s cross from the left sailed over goalkeeper Michael McEntegart’s head into the top far corner.

Beckenham Town dominated vast periods of the game and super sub midfielder Malik Noise headed home a dramatic late equaliser with just two seconds of normal time remaining to force extra-time.

Beckenham Town are five points clear of Chatham Town with two games in hand and with home advantage on the carpet at Eden Park Avenue but Walton insists it’s a tight one to call.

“It will be another hard game at our ground,” said Walton.

“We’ll look forward to it. I think it will be a little bit more cagier than Saturday. 

“Chatham have got people down there now that are professional people.  It’s great for me (to test myself against professional coaches), I’ve never got that far in football as a manager or a coach or a player so I love pitting my wits against professional people.  I think on Saturday we’ve come out on top both on and off the pitch.”

When asked if his side are now favourites for Wednesday night’s home replay, Walton insisted: “No! I don’t believe in all of this cobblers at this level.  You’re at home, they’re away. What are we going to have? Ten thousand people there on Wednesday night cheering us on?  Chatham will probably have more supporters’ than us.

“For me, it’s another game, a 50-50 game and whoever plays well on the night takes their time to win.”

Expect this game to go all the way to see who will travel to league rivals Bearsted in the Second Round on Saturday 2 November 2019.

“I hope it doesn’t go to penalties. I think penalties should be outlawed because then it’s down to an individual rather than a team,” added Walton.

“I think you should just take a player off and play until a golden goal because then the team loses.

“When it’s penalties it’s down to an individual and it’s horrible if you miss on penalties because you live with that and it’s not nice for the person to take that responsibility, so I’d rather it go to golden goal myself, let’s play until we get a winner!

Visit Beckenham Town’s website:  www.beckenhamtownfc.com

Beckenham Town  v  Chatham Town
The Buildbase FA Vase First Round Replay
Wednesday 16 October 2019
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Eden Park Avenue, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3JL