THE ROAD TO WEMBLEY: We must seize the moment!

Ryman Premier League sides Tonbridge Angels and Folkestone Invicta are both dreaming off a lucrative FA Cup first round proper date at former Wembley winners Leeds United and Nottingham Forest, writes Stephen McCartney.

Managers Tony Dolby and Neil Cugley are just one win away from a trip to Elland Road or the City Ground - if their respective sides win their fourth qualifying round ties on Saturday.

Tonbridge Angels travel to fortress Wadson Park to play Ryman One North outfit Ware, whilst Folkestone Invicta welcome Billericay Town to the Buzzlines Stadium, Cheriton Road.

Defeat for both these sides is unthinkable, as the glory, media attention and finance of playing the big-boys, featuring on Match of the Day, and becoming the next semi-professional hero, is within touching distance for these two rivals.

It’s been just two years since Adam Flanagan, now at Dartford, stunned Chester City by giving Folkestone Invicta a 10^th minute lead, before going down 2-1.

Invicta fans had got back to the Stripes Bar just in time for their clip on Match of the Day when “Adam Flanagan, son of Mike” scored Invicta’s goal.

But for Tonbridge, it’s been a longer wait - 1972 - was their last time in the spotlight, when Charlton Athletic won 5-0 at their old Angel ground.

Ironically, the last time that Leeds United lifted the FA Cup was in 1972 when the Yorkshire giants won the silverware for the only time in their history.

Dolby still feels the pain of going out at the fourth qualifying round stage last year, losing to a solitary Julian Alsop 15^th minute goal, as victors Newport County secured a lucrative derby against Swansea City.

Speaking after their brave defeat, on 28^th October 2006, a case of “if only” Dolby admitted to www.kentishfootball.co.uk:  “You have to take your chances (and) you’ve got to seize your moment.”

That moment is Saturday!

“We’ll certainly go out to win the game,” Dolby said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk about Saturday’s all-or-nothing game at Ware.

“We know it’s going to be a tough game and the favourites tag isn’t relevant in this game.

“They’ve won six and drawn one out of seven at home, including opposition at our level and above, and we know we have to be at our best to get a result.”

Dartford, like Tonbridge are an attack minded side, but they crashed to a 4-0 defeat at Wadson Park at the end of August, and Blue Square South side Thurrock were knocked out of the FA Cup.

“I think in this particular round in the FA Cup, you have to respect any team that’s got here,” explained Dolby.

“But we do feel confident, we feel strong, we feel ready and we’re scoring goals at the moment.”

Despite a lowly position in the Ryman Premier League, Dolby admits his side have now “turned the corner,”.

Speaking before tonight’s training session, he said: “We turned the corner a few weeks ago. We’ve had one defeat in eight, albeit a few cup games in there, but that can breed nothing but confidence.”

Dolby knows what to expect from Hertfordshire side, having watched their recent 4-0 home win over a poor Wivenhoe Town side.

He said: “I went to watch them last week. The opposition weren’t great, Wivenhoe.

“I looked at their individual players and very much to a man they’re decent players with no weak links and they gelled well as a team.”

But to get into the first round proper for the first time since 1972, will have the former Millwall star in “dreamland.”

“I think last year was the first time in about fifteen years when we got to the fourth qualifying round, which was a very good achievement,” recalled the 33-year-old.

“To do it twice is a hell of an achievement and to get into the first round is dreamland really.”

Millwall, Gillingham, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest….?

“It’s going to be a tough game, but yes, there will be one attractive tie for one of us to look forward to,” Dolby said.

Dolby, though, wouldn’t mind finishing off the job on home soil on Tuesday night, knowing the rewards.

He added: “If that’s the way it’s got to be, it’s got to be. We’re not a defensive minded thinking team, but if we get a draw, we’ll deal with that accordingly, watch the (first round) draw and finish off the job on Tuesday night.”

Folkestone Invicta WILL make it through to the first round of the FA Cup this week - because www.kentishfootball.co.uk are covering their game against Billericay Town.

Your favourite Kent football website has seen Folkestone Invicta three times this season, and on each occasion, Cugley’s men have won!

Firstly, it was their 2-1 win at Tonbridge Angels, which started their 11 match unbeaten run, and Billericay Town were beaten in a thrilling five-goal thriller on a September Monday night - their first home win of the season.

And Ellis Remy’s header sealed a 1-0 win over Hillingdon Borough in the last round, just two weeks ago.

Invicta fans, have, however, persuaded www.kentishfootball.co.uk to cover their game against Billericay Town as they see me as their “lucky charm.”

Andy Bown, one half of their press team, said: “I want you to come to Invicta! You’re fast becoming a good luck charm and after yesterday’s performance (losing 2-1 at Walton & Herhsam in the FA Trophy last weekend) we’re going to need it!

And Paul Sly added: “We now consider you our lucky charm and would be great to see you at the back of the stand, so please come along to Cheriton Road and become our legitimate 12^th man!

But boss Cugley has issued a rallying cry to the Cheriton Road faithful to cheer them into the first round.

“We have to set our stall out and give them something to cheer about,” he said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“It’s up to us to give them something, to be fair, we haven’t done pretty much at home.”

But Folkestone born Cugley would do anything to emulate the Invicta team of two years ago.

But Essex giants Billericay Town, a side that suffered a cruel blow losing last season’s Ryman Premier League play-off final on penalties, stand in the way.

“Underdogs? I don’t know!” Cugley said. “I reckon even Stevens really. I think we’re just above them in the league, already beaten them at home. I don’t think there’s much between the two teams at all.

“Yes, they’re a good footballing side. They play football the right way and they’re a well run club.

“We’ve had some terrific games with them over the last two to three years.”

But Cugley added: “One of us have to be disappointed, I’m afraid.”

Joe Flack is Bilericay’s danger man, having scored 15 goals, including two at Cheriton Road in September.

“Flack, the lad up front is a very good player,” warned Cugley. “He’s one of the leading scorers in the league, already scored two against us.

“Lee Hodges is a good player, very experienced (and) he played in the same Plymouth side as (my player-assistant) Mark Saunders.”

But former Gillingham star Saunders, is relishing this fourth qualifying round clash, according to Cugley.

“He’s had big games to be fair, played (for Gillingham) against Chelsea a few times,” said Cugley, now in his eleventh season at Cheriton Road.

Following Dartford’s 1-1 draw with Sittingbourne in the first qualifying round, Darts boss Tony Burman was pleased with the publicity.

He said: “You’re here today and you’re putting mikes in front of me mouth and I’ve told the players that’s what the FA Cup is all about.

“The further you go the more mikes you’ll get in front of you.”

On Saturday, Matt Gerrard from BBC Radio Kent, and www.kentishfootball.co.uk  will be at Cheriton Road, but win on Saturday, well, John Motson (Match of the Day), Sky Sports….could be doing the same in a few weeks time.

“I’m a local person so it means a lot to me to (reach the first round) again,” said Cugley.

“Folkestone are a small club, come through the Kent League, so it’s nice to put your name in lights.

“At the time, when we played Chester, we didn’t think it was that big of a game, but the enjoyment and publicity was fairly high, to be fair.”

Folkestone Invicta are charging their usual admission prices for the game; £8 (adults) and £4 (concessions). The club are expecting a crowd of at least 800 for the game.

FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON)
Fourth Qualifying Round - Saturday 27^th October 2007 (3pm)

Ebbsfleet United v Exeter City
(at Stonebridge Road, Northfleet, Kent DA11 9BA)

Folkestone Invicta v Billericay Town
(at Buzzlines Stadium, Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 5JU)

Ware v Tonbridge Angels
(at Wodson Park, Wadesmill Road, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 0UQ)

The draw for the FIRST ROUND of the FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) will be screened LIVE on BBC1 at 5:10pm on Saturday.

Sir Trevor Brooking will oversee the draw, which is being done by John Hollins and former Folkestone Invicta assistant manager, Paul Parker.