Our start to the season couldn’t really have gone any better with us achieving maximum points from our league games, says Tunbridge Wells boss Richard Styles

TUNBRIDGE WELLS manager Richard Styles says he is expecting a tough game at Littlehampton Town in The Buildbase FA Vase on Sunday.

 

The 2013 Wembley Finalists travel down to Sussex to play the Southern Combination First Division leaders, who have won all four of their league games so far this season.

Tunbridge Wells have also won all four of their league games but play one level higher than their hosts, in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division.

Tunbridge Wells claimed the local bragging rights by coming away from Crowborough Athletic with the points in the bag.

“In our last game on Bank Holiday Monday we had a local “A26” derby against Crowborough that we won 3-1,” said former Lordswood boss Styles.

“We were the better side throughout the game and I was really pleased to get the three points.  But to also win in my first derby game with the club - and I got a real taste of what it meant to the fans and people in the local area.

“Our start to the season couldn’t really have gone any better with us achieving maximum points from our league games as well as winning a FA Cup game.

“If I had offered this start when I took the job, I certainly would have taken it and it sets us up nicely to go into another big month of September, where we have many games to play.”

Looking ahead to their trip to Littlehampton Town on Sunday, these two sides met in The FA Cup at Culverden Stadium back in 2005 when Kevin Metcalf’s Wells progressed after winning a record breaking penalty shoot-out 16-15 at Culverden Stadium.

Metcalf hailed it a “remarkable night” and his goalkeeper John Whitehouse, who saved four penalties in the 40-penalty shoot-out said “in the end there was more drama than EastEnders.”

The Preliminary Round Replay finished 2-2 after extra-time on Wednesday 31 August 2005.

Styles said:  “We travel to Littlehampton Town and we are expecting a tough game but we are looking forward to it.

“We will have a plan and team in place that we feel gives us the best opportunity to win the match and progress in the competition.”

Visit Tunbridge Wells’ website: www.tunbridgewellsfc.com

Littlehampton Town  v  Tunbridge Wells
The Buildbase FA Vase First Qualifying Round
Sunday 1 September 2019
Kick Off 3:00pm
at The Sportsfield, St Flora’s Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex BN17 6BD