We'd like to get as far as we can in The FA Cup, says Welling United boss Jamie Day

WELLING UNITED'S suspended player-manager Jamie Day says he wants a big crowd as his side bid to reach the FA Cup First Round on Saturday afternoon.



The Wings welcome Blue Square Bet (Conference) North side Bishop’s Stortford in a winner-takes-all Fourth Qualifying Round showdown at Park View Road.

Bishop’s Stortford lie in fifteenth-place, with three wins and two draws from ten games, while the Wings are in third-place in the Blue Square Bet (Conference) South.

The Wings extended their unbeaten run to four games after goals from Theo Fairweather-Johnson and Lee Clarke ended Bromley’s unbeaten home record with a 2-0 win at Hayes Lane last weekend.

Welling United brought a good number of supporters across to Bromley last weekend and Day wants to see them again.

“It would be nice to have a decent crowd and a decent performance. That would be the ticket so hopefully we can do that,” said Day.

The Wings have reached the final qualifying round the hard way. They needed replays to beat Ryman Premier League sides Concord Rangers and Thurrock and are slight favourites going into Saturday’s tie.

And with his side unbeaten on the lush playing surface at Park View Road, Day would like to guide the club into the First Round.

Day said: “You look at the two games we’ve had previously, Concord and Thurrock, and we should have won both ones and we struggled to get through.

“Bishop’s Stortford are the same level as us, division wise, so it’s going to be a very difficult game, but if we can get to the levels that we reached at Bromley then hopefully with a little bit of luck as well we can get through to the next round.

“We played Clevedon a few years’ back and were expecting to get through and we didn’t - so we’re not looking too far ahead.”

Day would, however, like to avoid a trip to Bishop’s Stortford for a midweek replay.

“It would be nice,” added Day.   “Maybe the four games that we’ve had in the Cup have taken its toll on a few players, which is why we’ve had a few knocks and a few strains so it’s our own fault really.

“Yes, we would like it done in one and hopefully move on to the next round but it’s not going to be easy. We’re not thinking that we’re through. It’s going to be a very tough game.”

When asked what The FA Cup means to him personally, Day replied, “Well, it’s the biggest Cup competition in the world, isn’t it?

“Everyone who is a footballer or who wants to be a footballer at any level likes playing in The FA Cup or wants to play in the FA Cup.

“For us, we’d like to get as far as we possibly can. We’re not stupid. We’re not going to win it. If we can get through this round and get a big club then it’s a big day out for the club as well an experience that these players might not ever get so hopefully we’ll say that to the boys before the game and get the right result.”

Visit Welling United’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/wellingutd

Welling United  v  Bishop’s Stortford
The FA Cup (with Budweiser) Fourth Qualifying Round
Saturday 20^th October 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY