We have to go to Thurrock thinking we can win it, says Vickers boss Ricky Bennett

VCD ATHLETIC boss Ricky Bennett urges his troops to give it one massive effort during their FA Cup replay at Thurrock on Monday night, writes Stephen McCartney.


The Kent Hurlimann Football League high-flyers stunned their Blue Square Bet South opponents by taking a 2-0 lead inside the opening twenty minutes through James Duckworth and Billy Bennett, before their Essex neighbours came away from Crayford with a draw.

Reflecting on the Second Qualifying Round clash at Oakwood, Bennett said: “It was a good game to be honest.  We thoroughly deserved what we got, I think.  A bit unfortunate that we couldn’t get the win but it was a decent performance.

“We started fantastic to be honest, really sharp, two-nil up after 20 minutes and I think it was a bit of a shock to their system.

“As the game wore on the more experienced and the most physical side of Thurrock’s game came out.

“Unfortunately they scored straight before half-time and we knew we were in for a tough second half and that proved to be the case.  They put us under a lot of pressure, as you would expect from a side from that level, but we dug in and could have nicked one or two on the break.

“We defended superbly but it could have gone either way second half.

“I’m pleased with the spirit and the performance from everyone involved yesterday.”

Bennett admits his side face a wounded animal on Essex soil on Monday night and has to rally his troops to pull it out of the bag.

And it would be good if an army from Kent – especially Dartford supporters - make the trip through the tunnel to support the Kent League side.

“Well, if they’ve (Thurrock) got anything about them, which I’m sure they have, they will be a much tougher nut to crack on Monday,” warned Bennett.

“I expect them to have a bit of a rollicking and I expect them to be a lot more in our faces on Monday night and we have to deal with that.

“The unfortunate thing is their fitness is greater than ours and the game yesterday took so much out of my boys.  It’s come round really quick Monday night, but we’ll give it a good go.  We know we can score against them, that’s for sure.  Hopefully we’ve got enough in the tank to have another go at them.

“We have to go there thinking we can go and win it.  It’s a superb playing surface over there, a lovely ground.  The lads’ will enjoy getting the ball down on that surface.”

Lower-league sides tend only to get one chance of defeating a higher league side, and despite Thurrock residing at the foot of the Blue Square Bet South table – three leagues above the Kent League – Bennett hopes his side can defy that logic,

He said:  “It’s a bonus game but looking at it yesterday, I’m slightly disappointed.   You’re 2-0 up and maybe that was where we had a chance but we’ve got another go at them.  We’re not expected to beat them, we know that, but if we put in the same levels as yesterday, we’ll have a chance.”

Visit VCD Athletic’s website: www.vcdathletic.co.uk  

Thurrock  v  VCD Athletic
FA Cup with Budweiser Second Qualifying Round Replay
Monday 3^rd October 2011
Kick Off 7:45pm
At South Way, Ship Lane, Aveley, Essex RM19 1YN