League form goes out of the window in the FA Cup, says Hessenthaler

Thursday 08th October 2009

FA CUP veteran Andy Hessenthaler says he is still in love with the competition as he prepares his Dover Athletic side for Saturday’s penultimate qualifying round derby clash against Welling United, writes Stephen McCartney.

The 44-year-old has featured in the quarter-finals of the greatest Cup competition in the world, whilst playing for Gillingham during their 5-0 defeat at Premier League giants Chelsea in the year 2000.

“The FA Cup, it doesn’t what round it is, no matter if it’s the qualifying round, preliminary round, whatever, or first round proper, or quarter-final for myself, it was a fantastic day that day, it doesn’t matter where you’re at, it’s the FA Cup and traditionally it’s the best Cup competition around,” Hessenthaler told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“Everyone wants to play in it, be involved in it, for someone like Dover or Welling there’s a big carrot at the end of it. Financially it would be good to get through the next round and get a big draw coming down at Crabble as there’s a number of big teams in that round - Leeds, Southampton, Charlton, Norwich. It would be an interesting draw if we can actually get to that first round!”

Before they can look forward to welcoming clubs of that calibre, Hessenthaler must beat two sides, starting with Welling United at fortress Crabble on Saturday.

The two Kent sides met at Crabble on August Bank Holiday, and goals from Sammy Moore and Lee Browning ensured it was the home side that claimed the local bragging rights.

“We’ve already played them once this season in the league, which we won 2-0, but for the first twenty minutes they were the better side and had they scored then it might have been a different game,” recalled Hessenthaler.

“I know Andy Ford (the Welling manager) really well, it’s going to be a tough game. He’s been in the non-league game for a long, long time and he knows what he’s doing. He’s a very good manager and I’m sure he will make the fact that we are the favourites because we’re at home and the pressure’s on us, so he’ll take the pressure off his own players.

“I’m sure they will go out and raise their game and put in a good effort in for him because at the end of the day it’s the FA Cup, which is the best Cup competition around.”

Looking forward to the tasty third qualifying round clash, which is expected to attract a crowd of at least 1,500, Hessenthaler said, “We know if that we’re on our game and we do it right then we can get through to the next round.

“It means nothing about us beating them 2-0 in the league a few weeks back. It’s the FA Cup and everything goes out of the window as far as I’m concerned. It’s a level playing field, the only advantage we’ve got is we’re at home and in front of our own fans, so anything can happen on the day.”

Referring to their 1-0 defeat at Worcester City last weekend, he added, “We’ve got to bounce back from last week where we had a knock, they got beat as well so it’s two teams that need to bounce back so it’s an interesting game.”

Andy Pugh has returned to Coca-Cola League One side Gillingham and Hessenthaler explained why, “He won’t play, we won’t make him cup-tied now it’s his last game. I’ve had a chat with the lad, there’s no reason for us to actually make him cup-tied for one game when we’re sending him back.

“He’s available for Gillingham, who have a lot of injuries, so I’ve had a chat with him and he understands that so he won’t be available.”

The fitness of Adam Birchall and Jake Leberl, meanwhile, will be assessed at training tonight.

Hessenthaler said: “They have a chance, it depends on how they get through training tonight. If they can come through that there’s a good chance off them being up for selection. We could have a decent sized squad to choose from for the weekend.”

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

Visit Welling United’s website: www.wellingunited.com

COVERAGE: Join Matt Gerrard on BBC Radio Kent 96.7fm/104.2fm or www.bbc.co.uk/kent - watch highlights of the game by visiting www.dafctv.vo.uk.

Dover Athletic v Welling United

FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Third Qualifying Round

Saturday 10th October 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Crabble Athletic Ground, Lewisham Road, River, Dover, Kent CT17 0JB