We don't fear Herne Bay, we respect them, says Erith Town boss Tony Russell

ERITH TOWN boss Tony Russell says he is relishing his personal dual with Simon Halsey during their FA Cup showdown at Herne Bay on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.


The two Kent League side’s lock horns at Winch’s Field in a tasty looking First Qualifying Round tie and Russell is looking forward to another exciting game, having shared the points in a 2-2 draw in the league at Erith Sports Stadium on 27 August.

“Yes, it was a really good game down here to be fair,” recalled Russell. “It was an excellent game of football.”

Russell added: “I’m a big fan of Simon and his team.  They’re a very good side, they try to do the right things – we try to do the right things.

“It has the makings of a decent game but it doesn’t always work like that but they’re tricky.

“Someone told me when we played them down here we was the last team to beat them so we’ve got one on them.”

Erith Town’s last trip to Winch’s Field ended in a disappointing 4-0 defeat last March, a result that put paid to their hopes of winning the title.
“That was the poorest I’ve ever seen us, we were like a rabbit in headlights,” admitted Russell.

“They’re a good side to be fair, they can open up anyone.  I really think they’re a good side.  They’ve got some cracking players and their manager is top notch.  You know when you stand on the line and some manager’s shout stuff out, Simon’s generally one that gives out good information.  You can tell they work on their shape and set pieces. 

“You’ve got to be alive with them so I see it as a personal dual that I take me and Simon are going head-to-head. 

“They’ll try to play, we’ll try to play, like we had down here.  It was a clash of the egos.”

Looking ahead to Saturday’s game, Russell said: “We go there as the underdogs, they’re the favourites.  I know they’ll fear us.  We don’t fear them.  We respect them.  They’re a really good side and they’ve got some really good players – but so are we!”

Russell invited his reserve side to training tonight to prepare for facing Herne Bay, as two good footballing sides look to get the ball down and play in a must-see game on Saturday.

He said: “I don’t care if it’s 5-4, I’ll settle for a win.  We’ll come down here Wednesday, we’ll get the reserves down here and we’ll set up how Herne Bay set up and we’ll have a game plan to go down there to try to win the game.  If we win it, we win it, if we don’t, we don’t, but we’ll try!”

The FA Cup is a magical competition, with the prize money available to club’s at Kent League level vital to keep their club’s going.

Russell said: “The chairman (Albert Putman) will kill be because he says it’s the biggest game of the season – but not really!

“I hate going into competitions where I know we’ve got no chance of winning it.  Even as a player people go ‘the magic of the FA Cup.’  It was never really a massive motivation.

“The FA Vase is more important to me because with a bit of luck you’re in with a shout but the FA Cup, obviously the chairman loves it because it lines his pockets, but for me it’s just a game of football.

“If we beat Herne Bay and you said to me after the game swap it for a league result, I’ll take it.”

Russell, meanwhile, confirmed that Liam Burgess and Alex Tiesse have been drafted into the squad for Saturday’s game.

Visit Erith Town’s website: www.erithtown.co.uk

Herne Bay  v  Erith Town
FA Cup with Budweiser First Qualifying Round
Saturday 17^th September 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Winch’s Field, Stanley Gardens, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 5SG