On paper favourable, on grass dangerous: Magpies urged to stay ruthless against Faversham

Josh Umerah and Liam Dulson celebrate the latter’s opener in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Chelmsford City at York Road. Photo: Darren Woolley

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Maidenhead United have on paper been handed a favourable draw with Saturday’s FA Cup second qualifying round tie at home to lower league Faversham Town.

However, assistant boss Ryan Peters has warned that their Isthmian League South East Division rivals will have ‘a spring in their step’ come 3pm on Saturday, eager to prove they can compete with, and defeat, their National League South rivals in their own back yard.

It’s a classic banana skin clash, and one which the Magpies have fallen victim to on the odd occasion in the past. However, objectively, it’s a hurdle they should be capable of overcoming as they bid to get through these qualifying rounds.

For the first time in eight seasons, the Magpies are also entering the competition at the second qualifying round stage, having previously sat out the second and third qualifying round matches as a National League side.

Faversham head into the clash in excellent form, having seen off league rivals Hastings United 3-0 in last week’s first qualifying round replay. They’re also top of their step 4 division having picked up a creditable 10 point from their first four matches, although they were dumped out of the FA Trophy at the first qualifying round stage by Sittingbourne on Saturday.

United come into the game in great form having won their last four National League South matches, including Saturday’s tough game at home to Chelmsford City 2-1.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s clash, Peters said: “When the draw comes out, you want it to be favourable. It’s not a team in our league so from that point of view it’s favourable.

“But typically, these games are harder because the opposition has that extra spring in their step. They’ll want to show they’re just as good as we are.

“If we do not turn up appropriately and if we do not want to enhance this feeling we’ve got now, we’ll get beaten. So, we’ve got to be at our very best to keep this run going for as long as possible.”

Midfielder Matt Robinson is also keen for the Magpies not to lose any momentum they’ve built up off the back of their recent four-game winning run. He knows it’s one of those games they can’t really win - as everyone will expect them to advance. But he still wants them to put in a professional performance, advance to the next round and then reset their sights on getting a good result in the league at Maidstone United on Saturday, September 20.

“We’ve got the FA Cup next week. If we were all being honest, I think we’d like the momentum to carry on, and the FA Cup can sometimes be a stagger to your form,” he said.

“There are upsets. I’m not saying we need a game on Tuesday, but with the form we’re in the games can’t come soon enough.

“If we win next week we’re expected to win and if you lose it’s like ‘what have you done?’

“But I think we’ll approach it like we’ve done all of our games and try and put in a professional performance and try and get the right result and then we’ll look to Maidstone United for the last game of the month.”