There is excitement around the squad as there are a fair few who haven’t played in The FA Cup before, says Croydon boss Liam Giles

CROYDON manager Liam Giles says their opening day 4-0 win over Rochester United has lifted spirits at the Croydon Sports Arena based club.

The Trams took a while to get going on their Southern Counties East Football League First Division debut after suffering relegation at the end of last season, but Andy Somo’s hat-trick and Charlie Gee made it a great opening day for Giles’ men.

“Our opening week of the new season has been positive. A 4-0 win at home in front of the biggest crowd of the day in Division One, we couldn’t ask for much more,” said Giles, whose side are in third-place after one league outing.

“This may sound harsh on my players but our overall performance wasn’t the best.

“Rochester were quick out of the traps and certainly looked hungrier than us for the first 30 minutes.

“Once we got the goal we seemed to settle into the game and second half we certainly upped our levels.

“With all the commotion of the break in it was a good result and just what was needed to lift the spirits of all at the club.”

Croydon travel to Sussex to tackle Horsham YMCA in The FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round on Saturday with £2,250 up for grabs for the winner in prize money, while the team that exits at the first hurdle will pick up £750.

The hosts are fourth-from-bottom in the Southern Combination Premier Division table, having lost 4-1 at home to Little Common on the opening day of the season and suffering a 5-3 defeat at Alford last night.

“Looking ahead to Saturday there is excitement around the squad as there are a fair few who haven’t played in The FA Cup before and it will also be mine and John Gladwin’s first appearance on the other side of the line,” added Giles.

“We will be going into the game as underdogs for sure but we will be confident we can do the job.

“It’s huge financially for the club to have a good run in the competition so we will do all we can to advance to the next round.”

The winners will have home advantage over Egham Town or Lancing in the Preliminary Round on Saturday 24 August (15:00).

Horsham YMCA  v  Croydon
The Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Saturday 10 August 2019
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Goring’s Mead, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 5BP