The prize money is very important to all clubs at our standard, says Ramsgate boss Tim Dixon

RAMSGATE manager Tim Dixon says it’s important to make home advantage count when they welcome Waltham Abbey to Southwood Stadium in The FA Carlsberg Trophy on Saturday.



The Stags travel down to Thanet for the First Qualifying Round tie sitting in fourteenth-place in the Ryman League Division One North table, with a record of two wins and a draw from their opening six games.

Ramsgate, who didn’t have to play in the Preliminary Round, lie in tenth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table, with two wins and two draws from their opening six outings.

And with £2,550 up for grabs in FA prize money up for grabs for the winner, Dixon, 46, admitted it’s vital that his side get across the line with a victory.

“Being a Cup game it’s a very important game for us so I’m expecting nothing but a win,” said Dixon.

“I went to watch them last night at home to Harlow and they’re a very dangerous team, very, very attack minded, very good going forward.

“I’ll be telling the lads’ at training tonight what to expect and we’ll go from there.

“Being a Cup game we want to get through because of the prize money at stake as well.”

Having been knocked out of The FA Cup away to Godalming Town at the first hurdle, the Ramsgate boss knows how important it is to go as far as they can in the FA Trophy to bolster coffers.

“It’s very important,” said Dixon.  “I spoke to Neil Cugley (the Folkestone Invicta manager) the other day and he was very disappointed to be knocked out (of The FA Cup) by Badshot Lea and it has a big effect on what you can do at the club.

“The prize money is very important for the clubs.  We’re all in the same boat. The FA Cup and FA Trophy is very important to all clubs at our standard.”

Dixon admits to feeling the pressure in these Cup games where prize money is up for grabs.

“Very much so,” he said. “You want to win every game so there’s pressure in that alone. 

“It’s important to build the momentum up and keep winning and that’s what we’re trying to do.  If it was a League game on Saturday we’d be saying exactly the same thing.

“There is pressure in every game and we have to keep winning and keep everyone happy.”

Dixon explained why he just doesn’t want a midweek replay – especially as Waltham Forest groundshare Ilford’s Cricklefield Stadium, a six-lane athletics track with floodlights that shine yellow rather than white light.

Dixon said: “Their decent results have been away from home and looking at their pitch last night it’s an absolutely atrocious place.

“People do a lot of work at these non-league clubs but Hampton & Richmond went and played there Saturday and complained about it and they were lucky enough to win but they go away from home and play on decent pitches and raise their game.

“Home advantage, yes, I’d like to think so, but I won’t be taking it lightly.

“The last thing we want is to go up there in midweek when we’ve got Folkestone at home in a League game on Tuesday night.  It’s another incentive for the lads.”

Visit Ramsgate’s website: www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk  

Ramsgate  v  Waltham Forest
The FA Carlsberg Trophy First Qualifying Round
Saturday 29^th September 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Southwood Stadium, Prices Avenue, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 0AN