VCD Athletic are anticipating a larger
than normal attendance when they return to their Oakwood ground in
Crayford to tackle Hythe Town in the second round of the Kent Senior
Trophy tomorrow, writes Stephen McCartney.
Martin Ford's men have enjoyed a good week as they progressed through to
the last 64 of the FA Vase last weekend, winning 3-2 at Colliers Wood
United and then beat Maidstone United in the Kent League Cup.
Following their win last Saturday, Ford's men have been drawn away again,
this time to Sussex County League outfit Arundel.
VCD Athletic topped their group as goals from
Danny Penny and Lee Coburn secured victory at Maidstone United and have
collected seven points at the halfway stage.
Reflecting on his week, Ford told www.vcd-athletic.co.uk:
"To get to the last 64 of the FA Vase is something very special for a
small club like ours, whose average attendance throughout the season is
somewhere near the sixty mark.
"The win on Saturday was a tribute to the players that have worked so
hard over the last few weeks.
"With no wage bill it proves that spirit, determination and a will to
win can get you a long way in this game, and we had that in abundance on
Saturday with a fine win.
"They were no mugs and after arriving only fifteen minutes before
kick off we were right up against it.
"Thankfully we showed a lot of character and after soaking up a lot
of pressure we went up a gear in the second half and showed what a good
side we can be on our day.
"Two late goals we conceded were a bit of a kick in the teeth and
maybe if I hadn't made three substitutions with five minutes remaining we
would have won more easily."
Looking ahead to their trip to Arundel in the next round, Ford added:
"The draw again has not been very kind to us with another away match.
"By all accounts Arundel are a decent side but at this stage of the
competition all sides are.
"By the 10th December we will know all we need to know about them so
until then its back to the bread and butter.
Since the club entered the Kent League seven years
ago, Ford has earned his club £30,000 in prize money from their exploits
in the FA Cup and FA Vase.
Ford admitted he is looking to get back home to Oakwood - starting with
their Kent Senior Trophy clash against Hythe Town.
"We return to our Oakwood ground to play the last first team fixture
there before work gets underway at the ground in February," he
revealed.
"A large crowd, for us anyway, will be in attendance so it should be
a great day.
"Hythe looked to have picked up since we beat them a few weeks ago
and it will be a very tough match.
"With HOME advantage I will be very disappointed to get knocked out
so we need the fans' support more than ever."
VCD Athletic v Hythe Town
Kent Senior Trophy Second Round
Saturday 26th November 2005
Kick Off 1:30pm
at VCD Athletic FC, Oakwood, Old Road, Crayford
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