We'll give Banstead the respect they deserve, says Shaun Welford

MAIDSTONE UNITED target-man Shaun Welford says he wants to enjoy a long-awaited FA Cup run this season, writes Stephen McCartney.


Welford, 32, scored five goals during the Stones 9-0 demolition of his former club, Corinthian in the Preliminary round and is looking forward to progressing further with a win at Combined Counties League side Banstead Athletic on Saturday.

The Stones should have enough quality to avoid a potential banana skin at Merland Rise, but Welford insists his team-mates will treat the Surrey side with the same respect they showed Tony Sitford’s Corinthian in the last round.

“I think we’ll set out the same way,” said Welford, who arrived from Margate in the summer.

“We won’t go there thinking it’s going to be a walkover.  We’ll give them the respect they deserve and make sure it’s not a banana skin and we’ll go in with the right attitude and hopefully get the right result.”

Welford recalls the time when he was playing for Ramsgate when they reached the first round proper back in 2005, when Jim Ward’s side travelled up to Nuneaton Borough (then in Conference North), before being knocked out.

“I got into the first round with Ramsgate in 2005,” reflected a proud Welford.  “We went up to Nuneaton and we put on a good show to be fair.”

Welford has shared his experiences with the younger members of the Maidstone United squad. 

“We’ve told some of the young lads’ there’s nothing better than a really good Cup run,” he said. 

“You travel to different parts of the country, you play some decent teams and the further you get the better of the teams, the better the grounds and the better the atmosphere.

“It’s there for us.  We’re a decent side and I think we can go far.”

When non-league clubs reach the first round and play their professional counterparts, the national media always speak about the players’ daytime jobs.

Welford said: “I’m getting on a bit, but I’ve got a good engine still and I’ve got a few more years’ in the tank and luckily I’m a folk lift driver so I’m sitting on my backside much of the day so it keeps my energy for the football.”

Welford has been amongst the goals so far this season – with eight (before tonight’s home game against Walton & Hersham.)

“I like to set a target, I’d like to get 20 this season,” said Welford.

“I’m not an out-an-out goalscorer.  I’m more of a target man but I will put them away!

“One of the reasons I’ve come to the club is the wingers we’ve got (Alex Flisher and Ellis Green) put the service in for me with quality and sometimes it’s the easiest job in the world just to tap it into the back of the net.”

Visit Maidstone United’s website: www.maidstoneunited.co.uk  

Banstead Athletic  v  Maidstone United
FA Cup with Budweiser First Qualifying Round
Saturday 17^th September 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Merland Rise, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 5JG