Erith Town joint-manager Joe Ford: Bridon will be coming to us on a high after their result in the last round and will of course want to cause an upset

ERITH TOWN joint-manager Joe Ford says he is expecting a tough FA Vase tie against Bridon Ropes tomorrow.

The Dockers are flying high on the back of three straight wins and sit in second-place in the Southern Counties East Football League table on 21 points from 9 games, two points adrift of leaders Hollands & Blair, with a couple of games in hand on the Gillingham based outfit.

Bridon Ropes, meanwhile, produced a shock in their first ever FA Vase tie, knocking Holmesdale out 3-1 in a replay at Oakley Road after playing out a dull 1-1 draw after 120 minutes of football in Charlton.

Mark Murison, the club’s manager, came off the bench to score twice in the replay to set up tomorrow’s Second Qualifying Round tie.

“We are under no illusions that tomorrow’s Vase game will be a very tough one,” Ford told www.erithtown.co.uk. 

“Bridon will be coming to us on a high after their result in the last round and will of course want to cause an upset.

“It's important that we do not allow them to get comfortable in the game and we will need to be at our very best to come away with a result.”

Bridon Ropes ply their trade in the Pain & Glory Sports Kent Invicta League and are sitting in 12^th place in the table having collected three wins, one draw and four defeats.

Ford has done his homework on their next opponents, saying: "We've been to watch them and they were impressive - they have some experience in their side and all give 100% in terms of work ethic and effort which is always a sign of a good side.

“They have a couple of danger men like every team does and we will need to nullify their threats but at the same time I am looking for our lads to not change the way we play which can sometimes creep in.

“You know how it can be sometimes, players get it in their heads that they are playing a team in a lower league and then want to have an extra touch or do an extra bit of skill - we can't afford for that to happen and we will certainly be looking to get that across to the lads involved tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, the club have unveiled the return of Sam Gent after a short absence away from the club.

Ford said: "Sam Gent coming back into the squad is a massive plus. He's a great lad and a very good footballer.

“He signed for us at the start of the year and made it clear that due to work commitments and some other stuff he's had going on he wouldn't be able to commit to the start of the season but would let us know when he could.

“We spoke during the week and he will be back involved after this weekend's FA Vase game and will go straight into Wednesday night’s squad vs Beckenham Town".

The next three league fixtures sees The Dockers take on Beckenham Town, Greenwich Borough and Hollands & Blair and

Ford added: “It's an old cliche I know but we are just taking one game at a time - our attention is firmly on The Vase this weekend and then we will worry about each game as it comes after that!"

Visit Erith Town’s website: www.erithtown.co.uk

Erith Town  v  Bridon Ropes
The FA Vase Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 3^rd October 2015
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Badgers Sports Ground, Middle Park Avenue, Eltham, London SE9 5HT