We go there with no pressure on us at all. We will go there to play football and enjoy the occasion, says Rusthall joint-boss Andrew McKechnie

RUSTHALL joint-manager Andrew McKechnie is plotting the club’s greatest ever result – by knocking Cray Wanderers out of The FA Cup tomorrow.

Rusthall impressed in their dominant 3-0 win over lower-league Wick in the Extra Preliminary Round tie at Culverden Stadium – but they face a big task at Hayes Lane against Tony Russell’s unbeaten Bostik South East Division side.

Cray Wanderers are in fourth-place in the table after back-to-back opening league wins over Greenwich Borough and Whitstable Town and are the favourites to land the title come the end of the season.

Rusthall, however, play one level below and are in the bottom five of the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table with one win in four.

“My thoughts on Saturday are, it will be a very tough game,” said McKechnie.

“I know Cray are a very good side and I believe they liked to play football, which will hopefully make for a good game.

“We go there with no pressure on us at all. We will go there to play football and enjoy the occasion.”

Cray Wanderers have watched Rusthall twice, the FA Cup tie against Wick and their 3-0 defeat at Corinthian on Tuesday night.

“We have had a tough week but we knew this would happen,” said McKechnie

“We have a young side, which need time to learn, improve and grow as a team. That’s why the game on Saturday has come at a perfect time.

“The FA Cup is very special to be involved in, playing a good side from a higher level is what it’s all about.

“We know how hard we will have to work and we welcome the challenge. We are excited and relaxed going into the game, having no pressure on you at all is a healthy position to be in.”

AFC Croydon Athletic rose to second in the table following their 4-1 win at Croydon a couple of nights ago.

The Rams are level on points with leaders Chatham Town with 10 points from their four league outings.

Rusthall make the trip to the Mayfield Stadium in Thornton Heath on Bank Holiday Monday (15:00).

“AFC Croydon Athletic have started well and it will be a difficult game but another game for us to improve and start making strides forward in, where we need to be as a team,” said McKechnie.

“Every training session, every game is very important to us. We knew we were going to have to work hard to get the team up to speed and we are prepared as a management team and group of playing to keep improving.

“The pleasing element is the players’ commitment and understanding for where we are as a team at the moment, what we need to do to get there and what is likely to happen along the way.

“We all know it’s not going to be easy but the squad of players have an excellent attitude and are very keen to get us to where we need to be.”

Visit Rusthall’s website: www.rusthallfc.com

Cray Wanderers  v  Rusthall
The Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round
Saturday 25 August 2018
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF