We will not be a casulaty at Harefield - Hume

Wednesday 23rd September 2009

MAIDSTONE UNITED joint-manager Lloyd Hume says his side will avoid an embarrassing FA Cup exit at the hands of minnows Harefield United on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Stones climbed into fifth place in the Ryman Premier League with a thrilling 4-2 win over surprise package Aveley at Homelands Stadium last night.

With his side flying high in the league, Hume, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk insists his side will respect their Spartan South Midlands Premier League opponents and the Stones will exactly know what to expect at Preston Park on Saturday.

The Hares go into the second qualifying round tie sitting in seventeenth place (there are 22 teams in division) with a record of two wins and two draws from their seven outings.

"We’ve had Harefield United watched and I spoke to the Boreham Wood manager about them," said Hume.

"He told me it’s a tight pitch and they are really hard to beat there and they’ll fight us all the way.

"If we approach the game professionally and perform to our potential, we’ll win the game. If we let out standards slip, we’ll get beaten and we can’t afford to do that.

"We’ve got to take tonight’s performance into Saturday and cannot afford to take it lightly."

With £4,500 in prize money up for grabs, Hume appreciated the importance of extending their FA Cup campaign.

He said: "We need the prize money as a club, but the most important thing for me is to keep winning games.

"I’m sure there will be pressure from the chairman, but it’s something to look forward to, a good distraction. "We’ll be taking the game as seriously as we would any game, and it’s a hurdle to get over."

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

Harefield United v Maidstone United
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 26^th September 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Preston Park, Breakspeare Road North, Harefield, Middlesex UB9 6NE