We have to go in there respecting what they’ve achieved beforehand and also not even doubting what our ability is and we should have more than enough in our dressing room to overcome that game, says Beckenham Town assistant Phil Wilson

BECKENHAM TOWN joint-assistant manager Phil Wilson says his players will practice penalties at training tonight ahead of their FA Vase First Qualifying Round tie against Littlehampton Town.

All FA Cup, FA Trophy and FA Vase ties will go straight to a penalty shoot-out if scores are level after 90 minutes and after going out of The FA Cup to Tunbridge Wells by this method last weekend, Beckenham Town will practice from 12-yards tonight.

Beckenham Town are unbeaten in three Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division outings but performances and fitness levels have been disappointing.

Jason Huntley’s men started the campaign with a 4-0 win at Mile Oak in The FA Cup but the tie at Tunbridge Wells finished at 1-1 and Richard Styles’ men held their nerve from the spot to win 4-1.

Littlehampton Town arrive at Eden Park Avenue sitting at the top of the Southern Combination League First Division, having won all three of their league games and scoring six goals in each of their games.

On Tuesday night, Beckenham Town were held to a 2-2 draw at Erith & Belvedere, a side that were at the foot of the table at the time of the season abandonment in March, 40 points behind leaders Beckenham.

“After a league game like that, I always like to come up against opposition from different regions from different leagues. It makes it a little bit more exciting,” said Wilson.

“Although I’ve heard Beckenham get drawn with Littlehampton quite a lot, so whilst it’s a new one for me, I think it’s a busman’s holiday for everyone else!

“We have to be careful. They were top of their league at the end of last season so by right they should be playing at the same level as us now, so if we don’t approach the game right and do the right things, it could be a problem for us.

“We have to go in there respecting what they’ve achieved beforehand and also not even doubting what our ability is and we should have more than enough in our dressing room to overcome that game.”

Tunbridge Wells can now look forward to a trip to Isthmian Premier Division side Haringey Borough in The FA Cup First Qualifying Round next Tuesday night but Beckenham’s players will ensure they do not suffer from more penalty heartbreak at the weekend.

“We’ll put a bit of that in training this week,” said Wilson, a former goalkeeper for Dulwich Hamlet and Merstham.

“It was disappointing down there on Saturday, particularly as I thought we looked tired.

“We had the better chances, Macca (Michael McEntegart) made a really good save in the second half to keep it 1-1 but I think we dominated and probably had the better chances to go on and win the game so it was disappointing to lose on penalties but we have to be a bit more assured with our penalties. 

“It’s probably a mentality thing. You want to see penalties hit at least and they were poor penalties rather than good saves, take nothing away from the goalkeeper there.

“Tonight we’ll definitely take a bit of time to practice.”

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

Beckenham Town  v  Littlehampton Town
The Buildbase FA Vase First Qualifying Round
Saturday 19 September 2020
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Eden Park Avenue, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3JL