You can't afford to miss your chances, says Ashford United boss Paul Chambers

ASHFORD UNITED boss Paul Chambers is confident his side has what it takes to win the first FA Cup match in the club’s history at Homelands tomorrow.

 

Sussex County League side Lingfield are the visitors for the Preliminary Round clash and they’re a league above Ashford United in the football pyramid.

A handy £1,750 is on offer for the winners and Ashford go into the game in buoyant mood after making it three wins from three with a 2-0 victory over Eltham Palace last Saturday.

Ashford United saw off Kent League side Deal Town in the Extra Preliminary Round and Chambers sees no reason that his troops can’t pull off another upset when Lingfield come to Homelands Stadium to play the Kent Invicta League side.

Chambers told www.ashfordunited.co.uk: “I’ve looked at the league standings and seen they’ve played three and lost two so they haven’t had the greatest of starts to the season.

“It was good to beat Eltham Palace but I don’t think we played well as we have done in the other two games.

“It was a really hot day and we had to go and get three points and we did that which is pleasing.

“But if you look at it we missed a lot of chances and you can’t afford to do that really. At other times you’ll be punished and we could – and maybe should – have ended up winning six or seven-nil.”

Mo Takalobighashi and Gary Mickelborough bagged goals either side of half-time to make it two each for the season.

Chambers said: ”Tak’s right back on form now which is great for us as his goals can be a big asset for us.

“He doesn’t seem to be struggling with injuries either as he got through 90 minutes on Saturday so that’s a big plus for us too.”

Both are set to play a part in the clash with Lingfield but the news isn’t so good for four others.

Sam Fisher and Richard Quigley are both rated as “doubtful” by Chambers while Dan Scorer and Tom Scorer will miss out with knee injuries.

Chambers said: “Sam and Richard probably won’t be fit and recovered in time while news on Dan isn’t very good.

“He’s got the results back from a scan and they’ve shown he’s torn his knee ligament so he’ll be out for a while which is a shame.”

Article written by Jack Wilson – www.ashfordunited.co.uk

Ashford United  v Lingfield
The FA Cup with Budweiser Preliminary Round
Saturday 25^th August 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Homelands Stadium, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NJ