Longhurst rings the changes for Cup replay

SLADE GREEN boss Matt Longhurst is confident that his side will win their FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round replay at Tunbridge Wells on Tuesday night, writes Stephen McCartney.

The two Bulmers Cider Kent League clubs shared a 1-1 draw at The Small Glen yesterday and both managers believe they can win at Culverden Stadium to earn a preliminary round trip to Horsham YMCA on 30^th August.

The Sussex County League side, relegated after two seasons in the Ryman League, dumped out Faversham Town in front of the Meridian TV cameras at Salters Lane yesterday.

“Saturday’s game was quite an even affair I thought,” Longhurst told www.clubwebsite.co.uk/sladegreenfc/

“Although myself and the players were very disappointed in how we played and I will expect a much better performance on Tuesday.

“In fairness, Tunbridge Wells did not let us settle for a moment on the ball and worked extremely hard to stop us doing what we are good at.”

Longhurst expects both sides to change their styles of play on the tricky Culverden Stadium pitch.

He said: “I expect much the same in the replay. I would imagine the pitch won’t be great so the style of play may change slightly for both teams.”

Striker Ricky Freeman, who missed yesterday’s game, could be fit, following a work related injury.

“I was disappointed in several individual performances but overall a massive bonus from the game is that we didn’t play well and are in the Cup,” admitted Longhurst.

“We still created enough chances to win the game after defending very well all game against a decent front pairing for Tunbridge Wells, who I expect to do well this year.”

Sam May should have won the game for Slade Green with a free header and also Dan Westerman fired over when Adam Cotterell put him through but Tunbridge Wells coluld have won it before that when Slade Green goalkeeper Sam Biggs made a great save to keep the scores level.

Looking forward to the replay, Longhurst added: “We should have another two players in the squad as they are back from holiday and there will be changes to freshen things up with there now being three games in six days, two of which are league games against league leaders Holmedale and VCD next Monday.

“I’m still going into the game against Tunbridge Wells with one eye on those fixtures, but I do expect a much better performance and if we get this then I feel confident we can win the game.”

Admission prices for this game are £6 (adults) and £3 (concessions).

Visit Slade Green’s website: www.clubwebsite.co.uk/sladegreenfc/

Visit Tunbridge Wells’ website:  www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk

Tunbridge Wells v Slade Green
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Extra Preliminary Round Replay
Tuesday 19^th August 2008
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Culverden Stadium, Tunbridge Wells, Kent