We've got nothing to lose, says Erith Town boss Mark Tompkins

ERITH TOWN manager Mark Tompkins says there’s no pressure on his side to produce a FA Cup giant-killing on Saturday.

The Dockers are unbeaten in their opening five games of the season and are in second-place in the Southern Counties East Football League table with 13 points.

Tompkins’ side travel to Tolworth to lock horns with Corinthian-Casuals, who have picked up a win and a draw in their opening six league games and are in the bottom four in Ryman League Division One South.

And with only four places between the two clubs, Tompkins’ side can produce a shock in the Preliminary Round.

“Yes, it will still be a tough game,” warned Tompkins, now in his second spell at the club.

“They’re still a Ryman League side, a league above us, so we’ve got nothing to lose, the old cliché.

“I know a few of their players. I had a few of them when I was manager at Chipstead, so it will still be a tough game for us. 

“They’re normally at the bottom of the league aren’t they?

“Every time I played them as a manager or a player it was always a hard game so we’ll do well to get something out of it.”

But despite having Chipstead, Sittingbourne, Eastbourne Town and Southern Counties East Football League leaders Tunbridge Wells separating the two sides, Tompkins still believes the Surrey side will be favourites to secure a trip to the winners of the tie between Merstham and Deal Town on 14 September.

Tompkins said: “I always say the Ryman League is a lot stronger than County level of football. We’ll go there confident and we’ll have a go at them.

“Our priority is the league this year. We want to do as well as we can in that and try and win some money in The FA Cup for Albert (Putman) the chairman. We’ll see how it goes.”

When asked what kind of game he’s expecting on Saturday, Tompkins replied: “A tight game. I know some of their players they’ve got over there so I know it’s not going to be easy.

“We need to have a go. If we do that I believe we’ll match most sides. That’s our key. Go over there and have a right go at it and if we win, we win. If we don’t, we don’t and we’ll move on to the next league game.”

When asked about his own personal record in The FA Cup, Tompkins, who excelled holding the ball up as a striker for a number of clubs south of the River Thames said: “What as a manager or as a player?  Player, I done alright. At Bromley I got to the first round twice!

“As a manager, not so great! I got to the third qualifying round, I think, with Chipstead. I’d like to press beyond that. When you’re lower down like Erith Town it’s hard now because you start picking up against Ryman sides in the preliminary rounds so you need a bit of luck.

Tompkins added: “If we win this one we’ve got Merstham. I know Hayden Bird, their manger and he’s got some good players.

“It’s a tough ask but we’ll enjoy it and see where it takes us.”

But this kind of fixture has a history of producing a FA Cup giant-killing.

Tompkins said: “Without a doubt and hopefully we’re one on Saturday and we go and surprise Corinthian-Casuals. I don’t know what they’ll think about us because we’re lower level so it can get on their mind and they don’t realise that we’re not a bad side. Whether they’ve done their homework or not, I don’t know.”

The winners of Preliminary Round ties will scoop a welcomed £1,925 in prize money from The Football Association.

When asked whether this puts added pressure on the game, Tompkins replied: “I don’t think so mate because where we are. We’re a Kent Premier side so when we’re playing a Ryman side, they’re a league above us and they are expecting to win so it’s a bonus if we do. Obviously it’s good for our chairman if we do go and win money but there’s no added pressure on it.”

Tompkins is delighted that summer signing Rikki Cable has scored six goals already this season.

“He is doing well for us.  Rikki’s proven over the years he’s a goalscorer. When we signed him we know he’s going to get 20 plus and he’s played well for us. He’s worked hard as well, which he’s not renowned for. People call him lazy but he’s worked hard for us without the ball as well, so long may that continue.”

Reflecting on their start to the new season, Tompkins said: “Good start. They’ve done well the boys. It could have been five out of five to be honest with you. We should have beat Woodstock but we’d take that start of the season, played five, won four and drawn one.”

The Dockers have moved from Erith Sports Stadium to play their home first team games at Cray Valley’s ground in Eltham.

“It’s a nice, lovely set-up down there. Cray Valley have done really well down there. The way they’ve organised things, made us feel more than welcome,” added Tompkins.

Tompkins says his side will be once again challenging for the Southern Counties East Football League title this season – especially as they now play at a Ryman League graded ground.

When asked the sides that will be challenging up there with him, he said: “I think there’s four or five. I wouldn’t say there’s a favourite this year, probably Tunbridge Wells edge if for favouritism.

“There’s probably four or five sides that could probably win it. I fancy Cray Valley will be up there; Tunbridge Wells; Whyteleafe with their strike force they’ve got; ourselves; obviously that’s four. 

“Outsiders? I’ve seen Corinthian and I’ve seen Holmesdale play and their both good sides and Phoenix Sports have started well as well and there’s a few sides who I feel will be up there at the end of the season.”

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

Corinthian-Casuals  v  Erith Town
The FA Cup with Budweiser Preliminary Round
Saturday 31^st August 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
At King Georges Field, Queen Mary Close, Hook Rise South, Tolworth, Surrey KT6 7NA