Huntley plea to Sheringham: We need you out on the pitch!

Wednesday 02nd December 2009

BECKENHAM TOWN boss Jason Huntley says FA Carlsberg Vase fever is gripping his players ahead of their trip to Essex to play Tiptree United in the last 64 on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

A coach load of expectant supporters and players make the trip to Maldon at the weekend as the Eden Park Avenue outfit carry the weight of the whole of Kent on their shoulders as they bid to progress into the national stages of the competition.

Beckenham Town are only FIVE wins away from a day out at Wembley Stadium in May and have a great chance of getting past a struggling Tiptree side.

Tiptree are presently in 12th place (out of 18 sides) in the Essex Senior League table and have lost half of their six home games.

In total they have picked up five wins from their eleven league games and go into Saturday’s FA Carlsberg Vase tie on the back of two home defeats.

Having said that, Beckenham Town’s form going into the game isn’t that great either, as Beckenham have lost to both Hythe Town and Tunbridge Wells, without scoring.

As a result, Beckenham have slipped down to fifth place in the Bulmers Cider Kent League table with a record of six wins and one draw from their 12 games.

But Huntley, who was speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, admits his side have had Saturday’s Vase game on their minds since getting past Carterton Town in the last round.

He said: “They’re all talking about it! I must admit it’s a very big game for us but I told them once we finished that last game in the Vase, I said we concentrate on the league.

“We’re just not taking our chances to be fair, we’re creating enough chances, we’re defending really well, our defence is strong.”

Huntley, though, is confident his side can return to the Garden of England with a historic win.

The club have only played in the fourth round of the competition once before - and that was nearly 30 years ago!

“We’re confident enough to go up there and get a win,” said Huntley. “When it came out I said it’s a good draw for us, obviously it would be nice to be at home, but it’s a nice ground.

“All the players are talking about it already. We’ve got (a few) days to go so it’s playing on their minds.

“A lot of them are young kids and have never played in the FA Vase and not in this round either. We just have to keep their feet on the ground this week and get them prepared for Saturday and hopefully they’ll be switched on ready to play Saturday.”

Huntley says he would like nothing more than to progress into the next round - and pit his wits against sides from all over England.

He said: “To be honest, if we get through this round it’ll become very interesting. It would be a good achievement for us to get through this round, to get into the fourth round would be fantastic for Beckenham and hopefully we’ll do that.”

Huntley has issued a plea to the club’s biggest ever signing, Champions League winner, Teddy Sheringham to make his eagerly awaited debut on Saturday and fire in the goals to keep their Wembley dream alive.

“He will be at the game Saturday, he’s told us he’s coming Saturday,” revealed Huntley.

When asked if Sheringham will actually make his debut, Huntley replied, “Don’t know - we’ll have to wait and see on that one! He’s told us he’s going to come along Saturday, I’ll be getting onto him. I can’t say if he is or he isn’t.

“I might have to work on him if we did get through because I think we’re going to be very short on numbers in the next round if we did get through so I may push for that one if it’s a home game.

“I’ll leave that to Chris (McCarthy), the chairman to discuss. I’d love to see him play, but he’s a busy man Ted.”

Huntley, meanwhile, is looking forward to his biggest game in charge of the club.

He said: “I’ll be nervous but I’d prefer to be on the pitch playing to be honest but I am looking forward to it.

“Hopefully we’ll get a good result and we’ll have a nice journey back home.”

Tommy Warrilow, meanwhile, knows all about playing in the latter stages of the FA Carlsberg Vase.

Back in 1988, Warrilow reached the semi-finals of the competition with Hythe Town, who suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Yeading, who went on to win the silverware underneath the Twin Towers.

And the present Tonbridge Angels boss will be keen to learn the Beckenham Town result on Saturday, having enjoyed each other’s company following Cray Wanderers’ 3-2 win over Margate at Hayes Lane last Sunday.

“I got to the semi-finals of the Vase, I was fifteen minutes away from Wembley with Hythe Town many, many years ago,” recalled Warrilow, when speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“I said to Jason, until you start getting past these games, especially when you get past this one, it gets exciting.

“Jason and Macca (chairman Chris McCarthy) are two really good mates of mine and I hope they hold out there and have a good day out - good luck to them!

“I know the rewards of it, but what about them getting to the new Wembley? That would be great, especially for them as well as they’ve put in a few quid down there to keep the club going.

“We were joking saying Ted may come out of retirement for that one. If they get past this one then it will be a little bit interesting for them.”

So come on Mr Sheringham, please come out of retirement on Saturday and help Beckenham Town go all the way to Wembley Stadium and win the FA Carlsberg Vase in May. We're counting on you to fulfil our dreams!!!

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game.

Visit Beckenham Town’s website: www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk

Tiptree United v Beckenham Town

FA Carlsberg Vase Third Round

Saturday 5th December 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Wallace Binder Stadium, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex CM9 5XX