We'd love a run in the FA Cup, says Corinthian boss Tony Sitford

CORINTHIAN boss Tony Sitford says Hythe Town’s heroics last season has given him FA Cup fever, writes Stephen McCartney.


The Longfield outfit have won their opening two Kent League games and they welcome Dorking to Gay Dawn Farm in the Extra Preliminary Round on Saturday.

Hythe Town became the first Kent League club for 53 years to reach the first round proper, when Scott Porter’s side enjoyed a day out at League Two side Hereford United last November.  Gary Mickelborough went down in FA Cup folklore after scoring Hythe’s only goal at Edgar Street during the 5-1 defeat.

Looking ahead to the visit of twelve-placed Combined Counties League side Dorking, who have a 50% record from their first four league games, Sitford said: “We went to watch them play.  They’re a very physical side.  They’re a bit quick up front.  It’s like every game that you play now, we don’t know them, they don’t know us.  If we go and do our job, then it’s down to them.”

With £750 up for grabs for the winner on Saturday, a run in the Greatest Cup Competition in the World will go down well at the club.

“We’d love a run to be honest, absolutely love it,” said Sitford, 72.

“Hythe Town had one last year and it must be great to go to a League club.  We’ve got to win six games so it’s going to be a very, very difficult task.

“I was at Gravesend & Northfleet and it can happen.  We played Sunderland in the Third Round so yes it can happen.  Crawley Town played Manchester United, yes they were in the Conference but they played Manchester United so at the end of the day it can happen.”

Corinthian will have a massive incentive to win on Saturday, as they will host Maidstone United in a lucrative Preliminary Round tie on 3 September.

Corinthian  v  Dorking
FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Saturday 20^th August 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Gay Dawn Farm, Valley Road, Longfield, Kent DA3 8LY