FA CUP SPECIAL: Kent clubs embark on the road to Wembley - EXCLUSIVE PREVIEWS

Friday 17th August 2007

Just 91 days after Chelsea skipper John Terry held aloft the FA Cup at the new Wembley Stadium, this year’s competition gets away tomorrow, writes Stephen McCartney.

Tunbridge Wells welcome Chessington & Hook United to Culverden Stadium on the road to Wembley.

And Tunbridge Wells’ assistant manager, Steve Gibbons, 36, believes Chelsea fans who live in the town, should watch their local side and taste the romance of the competition at the very first stage - the extra preliminary round.

“They should see the boys that are actually putting themselves on the line in the same competition as they’re favourite team,” he said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“But they’re doing it for the sheer pleasure and not their jobs.”

Instead of watching foreign imports at Stamford Bridge, fans that flock to Culverden Stadium tomorrow, will see local, semi-professional footballers in action.

“Quite a lot of them live in Tunbridge Wells,” said Gibbons. “The furthest afield are defenders Andy Boyle, who lives in south London, and Terry Ratchford, who lives in Walderslade.

“They’re local lads who want to play as high as they can as they can in the top competition - the spirit of the Cup stuff.”

Tunbridge Wells are able to draft holding midfielder Sam Phillips into the squad following his one match ban.

VCD Athletic boss Paul Foley will be without goalkeeper James Tedder for tomorrow’s trip to Whitehawk.

But the Crayford based side will have the services of much-travelled striker, Leroy Huggins.

Huggins missed their 2-0 win over Tunbridge Wells on the opening day of the Kent League season last Saturday, due to the birth of his son.

Foley revealed that winger Stuart Abbott is available, but new signing, Dave Milton, who spent pre-season on trial at Ryman One North neighbours, Dartford, isn’t.

“We signed another forward last week, Dave Milton, from Dulwich Hamlet, who came with a ringing endorsement from his old boss at Dulwich, my old mate Wayne Burnett, but it is unlikely that Dave will feature this week,” Foley revealed EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“We are waiting to see how a couple of lads feel today before finalising the starting eleven, but it will be predominantly the same set of lads that did so well last week in the solid display against Tunbridge Wells.

“The biggest change being the unavailability of James Tedder, as he obviously has to sit this one out, given his Dartford connection.

“This was always the case with James and it is an agreement that we have sorted with (Dartford manager) Tony Burman.

“But it only applies to the FA Cup, so in the main, James is available to play, which is a huge bonus for the club.”

Foley explained what’s he’s expecting from the Sussex side.

He said: “We have been down to Whitehawk’s place to watch them in their win over Sidley earlier in the week and, as expected, they are a decent outfit.

“They are a young, fit side that play to try football and I would put our team in that category too.

“We don’t have many old boys in the team now, especially as I won’t be playing tomorrow!

“Therefore, I am expecting a good game that should be evenly contested.

“In terms of comparisons, we both had excellent runs in the FA Vase last year and both finished runners-up in our league’s that are at the same level in the pyramid, so as Jim Ward used to say, it should be like my front room, nothing in it!

“To be honest this is just a nice chance for the club to win a couple of games, take it as far as we can, getting some prize money in the process and then get back to the league, FA Vase and Kent Cups.”

Rivals, Erith & Belvedere and Thamesmead Town have recently stated that they will be challenging for the Kent League title, but Foley wants to keep a low profile.

He said: “Obviously in the league we are all tying to get those final “Europe” spots as it appears that the title is already sewn up with two games gone, if you were to believe some of the very bold statements from a couple of clubs flying about.

“I love all that, gives me a warm feeling in the pit of my stomach, as I have heard those statements for years, and I have continually picked up titles and cups in spite of them.

“You can’t beat a bit of bravado and codding. So in that respect, we may need to win the FA Cup as we are merely fighting over the scraps in the league,” he joked.

Herne Bay chairman, Mr John Bathurst, is looking forward to the club’s clash against another Sussex League side, East Grinstead Town, at Winch’s Field tomorrow.

“They seem to be on fire having played two, won two, scored 14 and conceded three,” said Mr Bathurst, speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, who added: “They put ten past bottom club Pease Cottage.”

Mr Bathurst also revealed that manager Jason Lillis has “signed” midfielder, Martin Chandler from Ryman Premier League club, Folkestone Invicta, but Aaron Firth is a “worry” as he sustained a knee injury during their goalless draw at Sevenoaks Town last weekend.

Mr Bathurst added: “We should have beaten Sevenoaks, we have five glorious chances but none were taken. I hope it is a different story this weekend!”

Faversham Town travel to Steyning Town’s ground on Sunday (3pm) to take on Lancing.

“No injury worries going into the game so a full squad to pick from,” manager Paul Copley revealed today.

The Lilywhites were thumped by Erith Town by five goals to nil on the opening day of the Kent League season last Saturday, and Copley has quickly worked to rectify those frailties.

Speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, he said: “We’re trained hard during the week, worked on the areas that we feel needed highlighting and are itching to go on Sunday.”

Looking ahead to their FA Cup clash against Lancing, Copley said: “I’m sure Lancing will be looking forward to the game as well as like us, they failed to impress on the opening day of the season.

“We have a coach load of supporters travelling with us, it’s been a long time since Faversham were in the FA Cup and I plan to make it an extended stay.”

Another Kent League club expecting a decent crowd are Lordswood, who welcome Bookham to Martyn Grove tomorrow.

The Lords opened their Kent League campaign with a 4-1 defeat at the hands of much-fancied side, Hythe Town last weekend, and manager Shawn Mitchell wants to bounce back.

“We’re hoping to bounce back from last week’s defeat,” he said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

He added: “Everyone at the club wants a good FA Cup run.”

Mitchell revealed that Mick Cavanagh returns from injury and that Dan Malone and Adam Douglas will both start and Gary Martin will make his debut on the left side of midfield.

Mitchell said: “We’re hoping for a good crowd to cheer us on as well.”

Sevenoaks Town are “nearly” at full-strength for their trip to Eastbourne United tomorrow.

“Players are coming back from injury, suspension and injury so we should have a near full strength team,” joint-manager, Bob Pittaway said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk on the eve of their trip to the east Sussex coast.

Pittaway added: “I’m very optimistic about getting a result. The FA Cup is very important to the club and a win would set us up for the rest of the season.”

Thamesmead Town boss Keith McMahon is expected to have Lew Watts (wedding), Dean Kearley (wedding), Tony Gallagher (wedding) and James Brown (holiday) available for their home game against Combined Counties League side Egham Town.

“We don’t know too much about them,” admitted McMahon, speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk after his side’s 2-0 opening day win over Croydon last weekend.

“They’re in the Combined Counties, which is on par with us, but I’ve got a full squad to pick from.

“If we don’t get any injuries, which is going to be a bit of a headache for me, but if we play like we have, I fancy us at home, definitely.”

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

Saturday 18^th August 2007 (3pm)

Eastbourne United v Sevenoaks Town

Erith Town v Cobham

Herne Bay v East Grinstead Town

Lordswood v Bookham

Merstham v Hythe Town

Raynes Park Vale v Deal Town

Thamesmead Town v Egham Town

Tunbridge Wells v Chessington & Hook United

Whitehawk v VCD Athletic

Sunday 19^th August 2007 (3pm)

Lancing v Faversham Town
(at Steyning Town FC)

Sporting Bengal United v London APSA

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