We know we are huge underdogs but we will give it our best shot, says Croydon boss Liam Giles

CROYDON manager Liam Giles says he wants his side to give a good account of themselves when they play Sheppey United in The FA Vase on Sunday.

 

The First Qualifying Round tie against Ernie Batten’s Premier Division big-hitters will be played at Glebe’s Foxbury Avenue ground in Chislehurst as the council-owned Croydon Sports Arena remains closed due to covid-19.

Tunbridge Wells, Chatham Town, Sheppey United and Welling Town are sitting on nine points from their opening three games in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table.

Batten’s boys have beaten Sutton Athletic (1-0) and Uxbridge (4-1) in The FA Cup this term and have seen off Erith Town (4-2), Canterbury City (4-1) and Deal Town (3-1).

Croydon are in the fifth-place in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division table having come away from FC Elmstead with a point in a 2-2 draw before beating Rusthall 3-2 at Jockey Farm last weekend.

“I am looking forward to the game on Sunday, a good chance to test ourselves against a top Step Five side,” said Giles.

“We know we are huge underdogs but we will give it our best shot.

“I’m happy with our start so far and we’ve taken four points from two games off our promotion rivals.

“Last season both clubs did the double on us so we are already four points up on last season if you look at it that way.

“We were disappointed to only take a point at Elmstead, due to dominating large spells in the game but also grateful in the end to get a point leaving it very late to score our goals.

“We had five missing at Rusthall on Saturday and I gave a senior debut to 16-year-old youth team keeper Dan O’Donovan, who showed real class and maturity, so Sunday’s team selection will be a very difficult one as sone of those players are back fit and ready for Sunday.

“I have a real selection headache for my management team but I suppose that’s a good thing.

“Hopefully we can get a decent crowd and show a good account of ourselves.”

Croydon  v  Sheppey United
The Buildbase FA Vase First Qualifying Round
Sunday 20 September 2020
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Foxbury Avenue, off Perry Street, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 6SD