Royston wants to reclaim his shirt for televised Cup clash

RYAN ROYSTON hopes he’ll return to the heart of the Cray Wanderers defence for Sunday’s televised FA Cup Preliminary Round clash with Chichester City United, writes Stephen McCartney.

The 27-year-old returned from his two week honeymoon in Jamaica yesterday and hopes he’ll get the nod from manager Ian Jenkins to slot in for the suspended Mark Willy.

ITV.com are sending down television cameras for the Hayes Lane clash as part of their deal to cover the early rounds of the FA Cup and Royston, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight, believes the Kent side will earn a trip to Ryman Premier League side Sutton United in the next round thirteen days later.

“I’ve played Chichester before, a good few years ago. I’m sure they’re a much different side now, their lower opposition and underdogs, which is always difficult, it throws up it’s own test in itself, said Royston, who has played for the likes of Tonbridge Angels, Maidstone United and Thamesmead Town.

Royston, like his current club, has never played in the first round proper of the competition and will be going all out to achieve that feat.

Reflecting on his FA Cup campaigns so far, the big central defender, said: “I’ve not gone that far to be honest. With Cray there was a good win over Tooting in the first match (last season) and then we lost to AFC Wimbledon.

“When I was at Maidstone United we didn’t really do much and at Tonbridge Angels I remember being knocked out by Maidstone thanks to a (Steve) Butler hat-trick. It’s not been great to be honest.”

Acknowledging the magic of the world’s greatest Cup competition, Royston admitted he will not be nervous against a Chichester City United side that defeated Crawley Down 3-1 in their extra preliminary round replay last night.

“It’s just that, isn’t it? The biggest club competition in the world.” said Royston.

“I think the last time I felt nervous was the play-off final and then probably before that was the game clinching the league (for Maidstone United).

“The big games you do get nervous but you go through your own routines for the other games.”

Sunday’s televised game will not be the only time that Royston has performed in front of the television cameras.

“When I was playing for Tonbridge, the Maidstone game was being covered by the BBC for Football Focus,” he recalled.

Cray Wanderers, however, are expected to turn on the style against a Chichester side that are currently in 13^th place in the Sussex County League top flight with a record of one win and two losses from their opening three games.

“We’re massive favourites, we’re one of the strongest sides in our league and they’re (the underdogs) - but football’s a funny old game. It’s eleven-versus-eleven and anything can happen.”

Cray Wanderers report to training tomorrow night, but Royston believes he should be the one to slot into defence.

He said: “There’s certain players who could feed that gap but me, Mark (Willy) and Steve (Aris) are the three recognise centre backs at the club.”

After suffering the painful experience of losing 1-0 to Tooting & Mitcham United in last season’s Ryman League Division One South play-off final, the Wands are expected to go one better this term.

“That’s what the whole scene is set out for,” said Royston. “To try and win promotion.

“I don’t think we’re necessarily favourites but we’re certainly up there. Most people would expect us to make the play-off’s after last year.”

And when asked whether this season’s squad is better equipped to clinch promotion than last season’s squad, Royston replied: “Good question! I’m not sure there’s not much in it.

“We’ve probably got a stronger squad than we had last season.

“Michal Power and Ross Lover leaving are big losses on our side but Shawn Beveney and Scott Kinch are going to be massive for us this year.

“It’s difficult to say which one’s the better squad.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game for our BIG FA CUP WEEKEND.

Visit Cray Wanderers’ website: www.craywands.co.uk

Cray Wanderers v Chichester City United
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Preliminary Round
Sunday 31^st August 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF