We've got to fancy ourselves now, says Beckenham Town boss Jason Huntley

BECKENHAM TOWN boss Jason Huntley says his players’ will not show any nerves when they face ordinary Worthing in an FA Cup Second Qualifying Round replay at Eden Park Avenue on Tuesday night, writes Stephen McCartney.


Huntley’s heroes came away from Woodside Road with a goal-less draw on the hottest October day on record yesterday – but the Kent Hurlimann Football League side were the better side on the day making third-placed Ryman League Division One South side Worthing, a physically strong outfit, look very ordinary.

Worthing were only one point adrift leaders Dulwich Hamlet and they almost snatched victory inside the final three minutes, but Beckenham goalkeeper, Nick Blue, 26, pulled off an excellent save to prevent left-back Steve Metcalf from scoring with a volley on the edge of the box, and a WORLD-CLASS Gordon Banks/Pele-esque save to prevent Jamie Brotherton from scoring with a goal-bound, downward header from just three yards at the death.

On yesterday’s performance, Beckenham Town will be favourites to progress into the penultimate qualifying round of The FA Cup and the Beckenham camp want as many people flocking through the turnstiles at Eden Park Avenue to support the team on their historic night.

Beckenham Town have never played a Second Qualifying Round Replay before in their history and Huntley and his assistant, former Millwall marksman Michael Marks, fancy their chances.

“We’ve got to fancy ourselves now,” said Huntley.   We know we were the underdogs.  We’ve got a young side and a few of them have never played at this sort of level and they were a bit nervous.

“On our own ground, I told them after the game there’s no need to be nervous. It’s eleven-versus-eleven.  If you do your jobs I’m more than confident in their ability.”

One player expected to steal the show down on the Sussex coast was ten-goal winger Jake Hobbs and he is favourite to grab the headlines on Tuesday night – but Beckenham have unearthed a gem in substitute Ben Slade this season.

The tall and pacy striker came on for Adam Greenways after 71 minutes yesterday after Greenways tired after playing as the lone striker after Alfie Nunn was controversially red-card after reacting to an alleged punch from Tony Timms in the 53^rd minute.

Speaking about Slade, Huntley said: “He’s very raw, young kid, come out of Sunday football but a bit of coaching with him he could become a very good prospect.  He’s only eighteen, big strong lad, got a bit of pace about him.”

One useful statistic is that Slade came off the bench to score against Walton Casuals and Metropolitan Police at Eden Park Avenue in the two previous rounds.  No pressure on the youngster then!

Huntley added: “So the pedigree’s there to score against the big boys so hopefully on Tuesday he might nick us one!”

Beckenham’s dream draw would be a clash against neighbouring Blue Square Bet South side Bromley – who progressed thanks to two Danny Waldren penalties as rivals Welling United were defeated 2-1 at Hayes Lane.  Although Beckenham would like an easier tie to progress and pick up more prize money from The Football Association. The draw for the Third Qualifying Round takes place at 1pm on Monday.

When asked how Beckenham will beat Worthing on Tuesday night, Marks simply replied, “Scoring more than them!” before chuckling.

“I don’t know, we’ll see to that on Tuesday.  It’s obviously going to be a different game back on our ground.  They didn’t cause us as many problems as I thought they would to tell the truth so as you say they may not have played that great.  We could’ve won it but we’re not frightened now for Tuesday night – it will be our night!”

Marks wants a big crowd on a big night on the carpet that is the pitch at Eden Park Avenue.  Highly-rated groundsman Ian Muir, who also looks after the pitch at Blue Square Bet South side Tonbridge Angels, will get the pitch in perfect playing condition to suit Beckenham’s free-flowing football, slick football that will mesmerise Worthing’s flat-footed over six-foot tall, physically strong players.

“Hopefully we can get a nice big crowd down ourselves Tuesday,” he said.

“People of Beckenham, Bromley and Orpington and wherever, come and support us because they deserve it now.  The boys have had three or four good games now in this – they deserve (bigger crowds).”

But be warned, Ryman League sides don’t play badly two games running against lower league clubs.  Worthing will be a wounded animal.  They had won all of their four home games before Beckenham came and out fought them and out played them without really troubling American keeper Dean Ruddy, formerly of Dover Athletic and Chatham Town of course.

Marks agreed, saying, “They’re going to come at us aren’t they?”  They’re not going to like what ‘s happened here (at Woodside Road).  I think they’ll be a bit upset with themselves.”

Marks added: “We can now go and finish off the job now on Tuesday!”

Admission charges: £7 (adults), £3 (concessions) and £2 (children)

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

Beckenham Town  v  Worthing
FA Cup with Budweiser Second Qualifying Round
Tuesday 4^th October 2011
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Eden Park Avenue, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3JL