I would love to get a win over my former club, however, if they come out winners tomorrow, I will like to see Horley Town go all the way, says Croydon boss Liam Giles

CROYDON manager Liam Giles says he is looking forward to facing his former club Horley Town in The FA Vase Second Qualifying Round tomorrow.

The Trams are four points clear at the top of the Southern Counties East Football League First Division table, having collected 22 points from 10 games.  Stansfeld, in second-place, do have two games in hand, however.

Horley Town play at a higher level than Croydon and arrive at the Arena sitting in fourth-place in the Combined Counties League Premier Division South table with 16 points from eight games.

“The FA Vase is a superb competition for teams at our level, a chance to get to play at Wembley, competing against teams of our level or one above. Of course, it’s still a big ask btu why not believe, it’s possible,” said Giles.

“We are coming up against a team I know very well. A club I spent three seasons or so at and have some very fond memories including two half decent Vase runs getting to the Third and Fourth round respectively.

“I expect it to be a very tough game. Horley are doing well in the Combined Counties League Premier Division South this season and always are a hard- working honest side.  I always follow their results and still have many friends at the club.

“We are boosted by the return of our skipper Zach Powell, who has finished serving a three-match ban, also welcoming back JP Rylah into the squad who missed last week’s win at Lewisham.

“We still have long-term injuries to Nathan Oliver and Jubril Adamson, who are two important players for us.  However, Johnny Akoto and JJ Johnson should only be a week or two away from returning to training.”

Croydon needed penalties to beat Broadbridge Heath after a 3-3 draw away from home in the FA Vase First Qualifying Round and were stunned by a 5-2 midweek league defeat at Westside but they bounced back with a 3-1 win at Lewisham Borough last weekend.

“Last week we went to the Ladywell Arena and with many players missing we put on a very hardworking honest display and in my opinion totally dominated the play,” said Giles.

“Lewisham are a much improved side and I expect them to be in and around the play-off positions, so it was a good result away from home.

“Hopefully we can get good numbers at tomorrow’s game. We will have to be at our best to beat a very good Horley side.

“I would love to get a win over my former club, however, if they come out winners tomorrow, I will like to see them go all the way.”

Croydon  v  Horley Town
The Buildbase FA Vase Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 25 September 2021
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Croydon Sports Arena, Albert Road, South Norwood, London SE25 4QL