It would be good if we can emulate Martin Hayes and get into FA Cup Third Round, says Chris Kinnear

DOVER ATHLETIC boss Chris Kinnear says he wants his current crop of players to replicate Martin Hayes’ FA Cup heroes.

The Kent club reached The FA Cup Third Round in season 2010-11 when they stunned Gillingham at Priestfield Stadium, Aldershot Town at Crabble before going out at Huddersfield Town.

Dover Athletic, who are presently sitting in eleventh-place in The Skrill South table, having won six and drawn one of their thirteen games, travel to Corby Town in The FA Cup First Round on Saturday.

Corby Town lie in sixteenth-place in the Calor (Southern) Premier League table – one level below the Kent club - with four wins and two draws from their eleven league games.

“The First Round of The FA Cup is a big thing, especially for non-league clubs so yes we should be (looking forward to it),” said Kinnear.

“We’ve seen them and they’re a good side.  They knocked out Colwyn Bay, who were a Conference North side, so they’re a decent side.

“They’ve got the likes of Lee Hendrie, who played for Aston Villa, there’s other players (like former Dartford defender Mark Arber) with experience there, so it’s going to be a hard game, but I’m sure we can play well enough.

“They’re quite an experienced side aren’t they? We’ve just got to get on with it really and hopefully get a result.”

There are four Kent clubs competing in The FA Cup First Round.

League One side Gillingham have home advantage against second-placed Conference North side Brackley Town.

Conference Premier side’s Dartford and Welling United face their league rivals Salisbury City and Luton Town respectively, so at least one Kent non-league club should make it through to the Second Round.

Kinnear wants his players to make a name for themselves in this season’s competition.

“The FA Cup is the biggest games really for a lot of clubs. It gives the lads a chance to get a bit of national recognition,” explained the former Margate boss.

“We’ve got a young side and they want to show how good they are against better players.

“Alright, this round maybe we haven’t got a glamour tie but if we can do well and win and let’s hope for a good draw - I’m not saying we’re going to win this one – but you can end up with one of the big boys like the club had a good run three years’ ago, so hopefully we can have a decent run.”

When asked how they will see off Corby Town at the weekend, Kinnear replied: “How will it be won? As I say a little bit of luck really. Again, it’s dependant of the weather as well. I suppose their pitch will be quite heavy. It will be won by us doing what we’re good at really, creating chances, going forward and that’s exactly what we’re going to try to do.

“We’re away from home so it doesn’t really make much difference to us. We try to win the game whether we’re at home or away.”

The FA Cup brings people -who don’t normally take an interest of their local non-league club – out of the woodwork.

Schoolteacher Kinnear says his students are taking an interest in his team.

He said: “They’ve heard the draw and they were hoping as well that we’d get a big club – maybe further down the line.

“Most of the kids’ at the school do follow Dover but at the end of the day they want to see us against the big clubs or we’re not the greatest otherwise are we? You know what kids’ are like!

“The kids are looking forward to it and I’m sure they’ll be watching the television and listening to their radios on Saturday.”

Kinnear has the squad at his disposal to beat Corby Town and replicate the club’s greatest ever FA Cup run.

“Martin’s side did very well, didn’t they?  They weren’t easy draws either by a long chalk were they?

“I do mention it to the players. It was only a few years’ ago when they had a good run.

“We’ve got someone like Barry Cogan, who has played in the Final for Millwall against Manchester United (in Cardiff in 2004) not many years ago.

“There’s certain times the club could do well in it but it would be nice if we could emulate them and get them into the Third Round.”

Visit Dover Athletic’s website: www.doverathletic.com  

Corby Town  v  Dover Athletic
The FA Cup with Budweiser First Round
Saturday 9^th November 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Steel Park, Jimmy Kane Way, Rockingham Road, Corby, Northamptonshire NN17 2FB