It’s a tough draw and one of the money sides from our level of football so we will be slight underdogs, says AFC Croydon Athletic boss Kevin Rayner

AFC CROYDON Athletic manager Kevin Rayner says his side face a tough night against Sutton Common Rovers in The FA Cup on Tuesday night.

 

The two sides get their new campaign underway in the Extra Preliminary Round at Mayfield Stadium, which hosts two FA Cup ties in 24 hours, with Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division newcomers Balham playing Sussex side Hassocks on Wednesday.

“It’s great getting back to football and having fans back in attending, which set things up nicely for a good game tomorrow night,” said Rayner.

“It’s a tough draw and one of the money sides from our level of football so we will be slight underdogs.

“Both sides will fancy getting through and we will expect a very tough night.

“We know most of their players and it should be a good game and we will obviously give it our all.”

AFC Croydon Athletic were sitting in the bottom three in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division in March at the time of the coronavirus health pandemic.

Sutton Common Rovers were sitting in eighth-place in the Combined Counties League Premier Division table at the time.

Rayner, meanwhile, hopes for a better campaign in 2020-21.

He said: “The squad we have assembled have done well and gradually improved through pre-season.

“The two toughest tests against Whyteleafe and Corinthian-Casuals showed we can compete so we will be hopeful in The FA Cup and being competitive through the season.”

AFC Croydon Athletic get their League campaign underway next Saturday, 5 September (15:00), travelling to Gravesend to play Punjab United.

Visit AFC Croydon Athletic’s website:  www.afccroydonathletic.co.uk

AFC Croydon Athletic  v  Sutton Common Rovers
The Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Tuesday 1 September 2020
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Mayfield Stadium, off Mayfield Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey CR7 6DN