THE ROAD TO WEMBLEY: Everett smells Cup success for his home-town club

www.kentishfootball.co.uk previews some of the FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Second Qualifying Round ties that take place this weekend - starting with Folkestone Invicta, Ramsgate and Dartford.

Versatile player James Everitt is expected to make his 200^th start for his home-town club Folkestone Invicta against Windsor & Eton on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

“I do love playing for my hometown,” Everitt told www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk  ahead of the FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Second Qualifying Round tie against the Royalists.

“But it has its highs and lows really. If you get a bad result people ask “what happened today” etc but also when you win it’s a nice feeling when people come up to you and say “well done” and that always gives you an extra boost.”

James, whose brother Micheal also plays for the club, explained how he got the nickname "Ratty".

He said: “A few years ago when I used to go to cubs when I was younger and we entered a football tournament and there were six Jame’s out of seven, my dad just came up with the nickname Ratty and it has stuck ever since. I’m not sure why to be honest.”

His manager, Neil Cugley, however, was delighted that his side put in a stunning performance to win their first home match at the Buzzlines Stadium, Cheriton Road earlier in the week.

Two goals from Mark Saunders following an early opener from striker Ellis Remy, ensured Invicta beat Billericay Town in a five-goal thriller.

“It was pleasing to win because then at least you’ve got the hoo-do of not winning at home,” Cugley said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk after their impressive display.

Aiming for a good run in the FA Cup where he wants his side to win three more matches to emulate what they did two years ago by reaching the first round proper, where on that occasion they were knocked out at Chester City, Cugley said: “It is important financially, glory wise and everything wise."

He added: “It’s a great competition and you want to stay in it for as long as possible.”

Reflecting their 2-1 defeat at The Deva Stadium, Cugley added: “That was a good day, you want better days."

And on their recent good form, especially on the road, he added: “We’ve got a good spirit here at the moment and really pleased how things have turned round for us.”

Ramsgate boss Jim Ward has done his homework on Saturday’s visitors to Southwood Stadium, Corby Town.

Ward’s men were held to a goal-less draw by Ryman Premier League leaders Hendon earlier in the week, but the Scot is expecting a tough cup clash against Kevin Wilson’s men.

“We’ve been to see them, we had an away day myself, chairman, vice-chairman, secretary,” Ward revealed to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“We do show as much respect as we can to these teams that we play against.

“We went to Corby Town, three and a half hour journey or something it was, they’re a good side.

“They’re managed by a man that played for Chelsea for years, a man called Kevin Wilson and he’s also got his Northern Ireland caps, forty, fifty caps for them, so they’re no mugs.

“He’s just come across from Kettering and he’s brought a lot of Conference players with him so we know we’ve got out work cut out on Saturday.

“But if we can get our lands on the park, nice and fit, it’s a nice tie to look forward to.”

Tony Burman's Dartford welcome a Camberley Town side to Princes Park that are seven games unbeaten (winning five of them), and warns it won’t be an easy ride for the Ryman League Division One North giants.

But he’s looking forward to the game against a Camberley Town side that’s sitting pretty in third place in the Combined Counties League table.

“Camberley are having a very good season in their respective league,” Burman told www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk/forum.

“We have had three very tough games so far to progress in this competition and I don’t see Saturday’s game being any different.

“But we must make home advantage count if we want to be in the hat for the (third qualifying round) draw on Monday.”

More previews to follow later in the week.

FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Second Qualifying Round ties

Saturday 29^th September 2007

Billericay Town v Maidstone United

Dartford v Camberley Town

Fisher Athletic v Margate

Folkestone Invicta v Windsor & Eton

Hayes & Yeading v Herne Bay

Hythe Town v Dover Athletic

Ramsgate v Corby Town

Tonbridge Angels v Maldon Town

Welling United v Barkingside

Sunday 30^th September 2007

Erith Town v Heybridge Swifts
(2pm at Welling United FC, Park View Road)