We're involved in football for games like these, says Michael Marks

BECKENHAM TOWN assistant manager Michael Marks says he is looking forward to three big games in the next seven days, writes Stephen McCartney.


Confidence is sky high at Eden Park Avenue after the Kent Hurlimann Football League side dumped Walton Casuals (Ryman League Division One South) and Metropolitan Police (Ryman Premier League) out of the FA Cup.

They welcome the old-enemy Fisher to Eden Park Avenue in the FA Carlsberg Vase tomorrow, before making the short trip to Bromley to face struggling neighbours Holmesdale in the Kent League next Tuesday, and their reward for producing a shock result over Metropolitan Police is a trip to Ryman League Division One South outfit Worthing in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup next Saturday.

“We’re all looking forward to it, that’s why we’re involved in it, for games like this,” said the former Millwall striker.

Steve Firkins and his assistant Bill Walton left Greenwich Borough during the close season and turned around Fisher’s fortunes and they go into the game in fourth place in the Kent League table.

Fisher also play an attractive brand of “carpet football,” which should be on show on the lush playing surface at Eden Park Avenue tomorrow.

Marks said: “They’ve improved a hell of a lot under their new people Billy and Steve.  It will be a hard game, that’s for sure.  After we had a great result (over Metropolitan Police) last week, it will be a difficult game for us, but I expect us to win, I really do.

“We’ve got Fisher tomorrow and then we go to Worthing next Saturday, so it’s a big week for us, a big week.”

Marks insists his side, one that carry the temperamental tag, will be fully focused for the FA Vase tie tomorrow.

He said: “I don’t think it won’t be hard (to focus) because it’s a derby for us and most of us have been to Fisher at a present time playing or coaching and it won’t be hard to motivate (the players) against them anyway.”

Beckenham travel to Holmesdale, who have picked up only one win in six and are at the foot of the table, next Tuesday.

The Oakley Road outfit lost their manager Gary Davies (who resigned), earlier in the month and have appointed Fabio Rossi to guide them away from the foot of the table.

“No disrespect to Holmedale, but I think they’re struggling a bit but it’s the lesser games where we let ourselves down,” admitted Marks.

“We have to go to places like Holmesdale and win if you’re going to win the league.  We want to win the League.  There will be no excuses.  We’ve got a big squad, but whatever side we put out will be strong enough.”

Marks insists his side are more than capable of completing their third FA Cup shock when they travel to Woodside Road to face a Worthing side that are fourth in the Ryman League Division One South table and have won all  three of their home league games so far this season.

He said:  “The boys’ seem to be really motivated for it and they were really up for it last week.  The FA Cup is a great tradition I suppose.  The further you go the more recognised you get.  We’ve knocked two sides out who are higher than us – only time will tell.

“Can we beat Worthing? Yes, why not?  We’ve beaten one side higher than them and we didn’t look out of place.  We absolutely battered both sides to tell you the truth, so why can’t we go there and get a result?”

Due to their FA Cup run, Beckenham have only played five league games and as a result have slipped down the table into eleventh place.

“We let ourselves down at Corinthian – but other than that the boys’ have been absolutely brilliant! If we win all of our games we’ll be up there.  We’re four or five games behind already, but that’s what happens when you have Cup games.”

When asked what he would take if he had a choice of reaching the FA Cup First Round or winning the Kent League, Marks replied, “Win promotion – it depends who we draw in the first round though!”

Visit Beckenham Town’s website:  www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk  

Beckenham Town  v  Fisher
FA Carlsberg Vase Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 24^th September 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Eden Park Avenue, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3JL