Deres boss Micky Collins wants a FA Cup run

Monday 09th August 2010

ERITH & BELVEDERE boss Micky Collins knows the importance of getting past their Kent League rivals Holmesdale in their FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Both sides got their league campaign’s off to good starts at the weekend, with the Deres winning 2-1 at much-fancied side Herne Bay, and the Dalers springing a surprise 2-0 home win over Erith Town, with goals from striker Badar Mohammed and midfielder Lindsey Prescott-Kerr.

Collins, who was speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, expects a tough clash against Gary Davies’ side.

He said: “That’s a good game. I’ve known Gary for a long time and he’ll play his football the right way.

“We’ll go there - we haven’t picked up any injuries - and we’ll go there with a decent game plan and we’ll try our best.”

The winners of the Kent clash face the prospect of travelling to Gosport Borough in the preliminary round on 28 August.

The Hampshire outfit get their Zamaretto League Division One South & West campaign underway on Saturday, with a trip to Cinderford Town.

And Collins said: “The financial implications are massive and if we can get through the first round and hopefully we’ll push through the second round (preliminary round) then it obviously helps the club financially and also if you can stay in the competition for as long as you can it gives the lads extra games.

“The Kent League isn’t the biggest League in the world and obviously the fixtures, there’s not that many, so it would be good to stay in as many competitions as we can and we’ll go there with one aim and that’s to win the game.”

Despite his side’s opening day win, courtesy of two fine strikes from 20-year-old striker Marcus Cassius, who is on loan from Bromley, Collins is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

“Nothing changes,” he said. “Top eight is a massive bonus for this football club. If we achieve anymore than that then I’ll be happy with it.

“We’ve won one game, let’s not get carried away!”

Visit Erith & Belvedere’s website: www.erithandbelvederefc.co.uk

Holmesdale v Erith & Belvedere

FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Extra Preliminary Round

Saturday 14th August 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At 68 Oakley Road, Bromley, Kent BR2 8HQ