Getting through will be a great achievement, says Radbourne

Wednesday 11th November 2009

ERITH & BELVEDERE joint-manager Richie Radbourne says he is expected a tough game up at Witney United in the second round of the FA Carlsberg Vase on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Oxfordshire side are riding high in the top four of the Hellenic League table and are seven games unbeaten, and Radbourne, who was speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight, is expecting a tough ride at Downs Road.

“I am looking forward to it,” said Radbourne. “It will be a tough game, they’re doing alright as a team. I think they’re a big physical side, but it will be a tough game for us.

“It will be a game out of the ordinary for us as it’s the Vase, a different adventure.

“We’ve done a little bit of homework on them, not too much, but we’ve done a little bit. To be honest I’m just worried about my team to be honest, I’m not worried about them.

“If we play to our full potential and do what we do (we’ll be fine). We’re not really playing that well at the moment, that will come, that will be turned around and hopefully we’ll see results.

“Like every game we play, I like to be competitive. We’ve got a competitive side, a hardworking fit team and every team we play I want to give them a good run for their money.”

Erith & Belvedere go into the game in second place in the Bulmers Cider Kent League, although they are ten points behind runaway leaders Faversham Town.

And victory on Saturday will put the Deres in the last 64 of the competition for only the second time in the club’s history.

“That would be nice to progress as I don’t think the club’s had much success in the last few years, so it would be nice to progress as far as we can,” added Radbourne.

“It will be a quite an achievement in itself as we’ve got a whole new side at the moment.”

The Deres will be without central defender, Dave Waters and centre forward Dave Hassett as they are both cup-tied, but goalkeeper Matt Bromby and central midfielder Michael Dodsworth are available for selection having missed last weekend’s game.

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

Witney United v Erith & Belvedere

FA Carlsberg Vase Second Round

Saturday 14th November 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Downs Road, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX29 7WT