Beckenham Town can create their own bit of FA Cup history, says assistant manager Billy Walton

Friday 07th September 2018

BECKENHAM TOWN assistant manager Billy Walton says The Football Association should put more money into their prize money fund for club’s at their level.

The club have already banked £5,140 after needing extra-time to see off Colliers Wood United and Epsom & Ewell in replays and they can bank a further £6,000 should they pull off a First Qualifying Round upset against Walton Casuals at Eden Park Avenue tomorrow.

Beckenham Town sit proudly at the top of the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table after winning five out of five and host Walton Casuals whom are second-from-bottom in the Southern Premier League South Division, having collected two draws from five games.

“Everybody is expecting us to get beaten by Walton Casuals tomorrow, but this is The FA Cup and I recall Wigan Athletic beating Manchester City last season,” said Walton, whose side are two levels lower than Anthony Gale’s side.

“For me, tomorrow’s game is all about the players.  They can create their own bit of FA Cup history and if we win tomorrow, who knows we may draw in the next round?

“We are going into the game full of confidence as we are on a good run at the moment.

“I know there is more to come from this team as we have not reached their full potential yet.

“I think tomorrow’s game will all depend on what we do when we have not got possession of the ball and get our defensive shape organised quickly as we are playing a team from the Premier Division who will be well-organised and good on the ball when they have possession.

“These games are why you enter The FA Cup, playing a team from a higher division at home in front of a good crowd, so go and enjoy it and do yourself proud.

“I know Walton Casuals are a young footballing team and I’ve got a very experienced manager and coach so I think it should make a very good footballing match as we like to play good football on our pitch.

“We will give Walton Casuals all the respect in the world but we certainly don’t fear them.  We are very confident going to the match and we will play with confidence. 

“When you play teams from a higher division you’ve got to trust yourself and be brave on the ball and you knew know you may well cause a big upset.”

Walton believes more prize money should filter down into the qualifying rounds.

“It will be good to win the £6,000 prize money but I still don’t think it’s enough for this stage of the competition as the winners get £3.6million and the club’s that normally win The FA Cup do not really need that sort of money, so why not put it down at our end of the competition where club’s need all the money they can get just to survive.”

Walton added:  “Good luck to all the other teams from our division who are playing in The FA Cup tomorrow.”

Visit Beckenham Town’s website: www.beckenhamtownfc.com

Beckenham Town  v  Walton Casuals
The Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round
Saturday 8 September 2018
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Eden Park Avenue, Beckenham, Kent BR3