Ward wants to make up for recent Cup disappointment

WITH LESS than five hours until kick-off, Ramsgate boss Jim Ward tells his side to make this a FA Cup campaign to remember, writes Stephen McCartney.

Ramsgate make the short trip to Cheriton Road to lock horns with a Folkestone Invicta side that have made a flying start in the Ryman League Division One South following their heartbreaking relegation on the last day of last term.

Neil Cugley’s side are currently third in the table after six games but Ward, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk just five hours before the game, is confident his side can get the win to earn a place in Monday’s draw for the second qualifying round.

“It’ll be no different than a Ryman Premier League game,” said Ward. “Folkestone are stronger this year than they were last.

“If he (Cugley) had been fortunate enough to sign (Lee) Spiller, (Craig) Wilkins and (James) Dryden and a couple more he’s signed, they would have stayed up - but that’s football.”

Ward says he wants to guide the Thanet club through to the first round proper of the FA Cup like he did three years ago, when they travelled up to Nuneaton Borough, who later held Premier League side Middlesbrough to earn a lucrative replay.

“The boys and the management feel they’ve let the club down in the last couple of years,” admitted Ward.

“We went out two years ago against Yeading and last year we went out against Corby and both were soft touches, so we feel we (must make a) right good go at the FA Cup.”

Games like this make you spring out bed on FA Cup morning, looking forward to the big game.

And Ward agreed, saying: “If you can’t get a tingle today mate - how many games are you away from the big boys? Four wins away!

But Ward wants to go further than the first round proper, and wants to meet some familiar faces in the third round in January.

He said: “I’m sure (Manchester United stars, Wayne) Rooney, (Carlos) Tevez and (Dimitar) Berbatov would grace Southwood.”

“The same day (we played at Nuneaton Borough), Neil Cugley took his team to Chester - that’s how close we were.

“Ramsgate are due some good fortune in the FA Cup - let’s hope it’s the year.

“We’ll be going down there to go and win the game. It’s a local derby, we’ve got a lot of people going down, our travelling support has been immense this year.”

Ward revealed Simon Pettit (foot), Ashley Burton (hamstring) and Stuart Vahid (neck) have all been ruled out of this Cheriton Road showdown.

Visit Folkestone Invicta’s website:  www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk

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

Folkestone Invicta v Ramsgate
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) First Qualifying Round
Saturday 13^th September 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Buzzlines Stadium, Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 5JU