If we perform at the levels we expect, then we can get ourselves into the next round and the players are desperate to right a few wrongs from Tuesday night, says Canterbury City boss Ben Smith

CANTERBURY CITY manager Ben Smith says he has a lot of respect for Corinthian going into their FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie tomorrow.

Smith has seen his side beat Rusthall 5-2 in their first game back in Faversham, but went down to a 5-2 midweek defeat at much-fancied Chatham Town in midweek.

Canterbury City are in tenth-place in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table at this early stage.

“Real mixed emotions from this week to be honest.  I think it’s always a tough one to gauge sides at the start of the season,” said Smith.

“The first few games have that cup final feel to them after the anticipation everyone’s had for the season to start and no matter who you play the teams are bang up for it.

“Whilst not being at our best we’ve comfortably beat Rusthall and then not playing badly been beaten 5-2 at Chatham.

“We’re certainly a work in progress but have shown enough over the two games to suggest we can improve on previous campaigns.

“In my opinion, Chatham are clear favourites for the league and aside from a crazy four minute spell, we’ve done alright in the game and caused them a few problems so the players are hurting as we’ve shot ourselves in the foot really but it’s early days and we know there is time to put this right.”

Corinthian kicked-off their league campaign with a 4-1 home defeat to much-fancied Chatham Town, but bounced back by winning 2-1 at Tunbridge Wells in midweek and sit in fourteenth-place in the table.

“If you look at previous meetings tomorrow’s game is a real 50-50,” said Smith.

“I have a lot of respect for Corinthian as a club, they do things properly, which is why they consistently finish well in the league and produce talented young players.

“We are pretty much at full-strength for the game so we go there confident that if we perform at the levels we expect, then we can get ourselves into the next round and the players are desperate to right a few wrongs from Tuesday night.”

Visit Canterbury City’s website:  www.canterburycityfc.net

Corinthian  v  Canterbury City
The Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Saturday 11 August 2018
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Gay Dawn Farm, Valley Road, Longfield, Kent DA3 8LY