29thoct04

Bromley look to cause third upset in their FA Cup campaign

THE PROSPECT of reaching the first round of the FA Cup for the first time since 1996 is the incentive for Ryman League Division One club Bromley tomorrow, writes Stephen McCartney.

Standing in the way, however, are Cambridge City - fourth in the Nationwide South table.  But Bromley will be looking to secure another shock victory having disposed of big spending Fisher Athletic and Nationwide South strugglers Sutton United, albeit at the second attempt, in the competition already this season.

And the prospects of progress are looking good.  Bromley have defeated Sutton United this season in the third qualifying round - the last time they did that, in 1996, they reached the first round proper, thanks to Keith Sharman's only goal of the game in the fourth qualifying round.

Grant Watts, player-assistant manager, is looking forward to the game.: "It's a massive game for the club.

"It's been a few years since we've got this far and the buzz around the players, the management and everybody with the club is fantastic."

Cambridge, will prove to be another tough nut to crack, but Bromley's players proved against Fisher and Sutton they can rise to the big occasion.

Watts added: "It's going to be extremely hard - you only have to look at where they are in the league and with Grays Athletic and Hornchurch above them, that says a lot really."

Watts, went to watch the opposition last Saturday and revealed: "They are strong, work really hard and they are a good side.  They are in a strong league so it's going to be really hard for us."

Watts, however, rates the team's chances as 50/50 but promises the players will definitely be raring to go.

"We've got a home tie so anything can happen.  

"The FA Cup is renowned for upsets and we are going in as underdogs for maybe the third time in this run we've had.

"We were underdogs against Fisher and Sutton so the boys are up for it.  They've got to be up for it, haven't they?

"The prospects of getting in the hat for the first round and getting a fantastic draw, if we are luckily enough to get through, is brilliant."

Bromley v Cambridge City
FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round
Saturday 30th October 2004
Kick Off 3:00pm
at The Clive Christian Stadium, Hayes Lane, Bromley