FA CUP SPECIAL: We must do the business at Bourne Park, says Martin

“WE CAN show how good we can be, when we put our minds to it,” is the rallying cry coming from Maidstone United midfielder Andy Martin, ahead of Saturday’s make-or-break FA Cup showdown against AFC Wimbledon, writes Stephen McCartney.

A crowd of at least 2,500 is expected to cram into Bourne Park on Saturday to see if the Stones can produce a giant killing to earn a place in the lucrative first round proper.

The Stones are JUST ONE WIN away from a possible dream meeting with giants, Leeds United, but AFC Wimbledon stand in their way.

The south-west Londoners go into the game proudly sitting at the top of the Blue Square South table, level on points with Team Bath, on 29 points from 13 games.

But www.kentishfootball.co.uk firmly BELIEVES that the Stones will put off their best result of the season, to make it a memorable day for the club.

This is the time for players and fans alike to stand up and be counted to ensure the Kent club pop the champagne corks with a heroic victory on Saturday.

Some Stones fans may not like attending games at Bourne Park. But this is the time to put your differences to one side, get behind your heroes and cheer them onto a famous FA Cup victory.

The FA Cup has a history of giant killings and the Maidstone United camp are buoyant, following their midweek 2-1 win at AFC Hornchurch with an under-strength side, which sealed a trip to Swindon Supermarine in the second qualifying round of the FA Carlsberg Trophy.

Remember, big-spending, AFC Wimbledon have escaped from both Bedford Town and Dover Athletic with draws, but have finished off the job at fortress Kingsmeadow.

However, if Maidstone United are to reach the first round, they must seize the moment at Bourne Park on Saturday - and Martin, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, agrees.

“It’s going to be difficult, the manager’s know that, hopefully the fans know that, but even though I say it’s difficult, I think we’ve got more of a good chance, especially at home,” said the Welshman.

“We’ll play our stuff and hopefully it’ll be a memorable day and we’ll look forward to the (first round) draw.”

The Stones must learn a lesson from their fellow Kent rivals, Dover Athletic, who failed to take at least three chances in their home tie two weeks ago.

AFC Wimbledon came back from the dead to win the replay 2-0 at Kingsmeadow and Whites boss Andy Hessenthaler rued their missed opportunity to progress to set up a Kent showdown in the last qualifying round.

“I think it’s a common nominator in football, and it’s quite a stupid thing to say, but you’ve got to take your chances when you’re on top, especially Cup games, playing against a team in a higher level than you,” explained Martin, who played on the right of a four man midfield against the Urchins in midweek.

“You only get one bite of the cherry. A draw, we’ll have to go back to their place on Tuesday night, which will be difficult.

“We need to take our chances, we need to be confident, we need to be positive and fingers crossed, we’re good enough to do it.”

FA Cup wins over Tooting & Mitcham United (2-1) and Fisher Athletic (3-2) - both at Bourne Park - and their 4-1 win up at Halesowen Town in the last round, has brought the players closer together, according to much-travelled Martin.

“The boys are bonding really well and getting to know each other now, as friends as well as team-mates, so that’s a good thing,” he said.

“Winning always breads confidence, so hopefully we can all stay mates, team mates, and go on to have a good season.”

Lastly, if there’s any need for any more motivation, www.kentishfootball.co.uk spoke to AFC Wimbledon boss Terry Brown following his side’s 2-0 replay win over Dover Athletic.

And the former Aldershot Town boss firmly believes his club are already in the first round proper.

“We haven’t had a home draw yet, we’ve had to bring our opposition back (to Kingsmeadow for replay’s), he said.

“I can’t complain about Maidstone as a draw, we went there last year, had a difficult game on a less than perfect pitch.

“It’s the FA Cup, it’s about underdogs not the favourites and we’ll go there as a favourite and I can’t wait to get a (first round) draw in the Cup where we’re underdogs again.”

As Martin says, if you firmly believe in something, and work hard towards it, then you will get what you deserve. Ebbsfleet United won the FA Carlsberg Trophy, against all the odds, at Wembley Stadium last May. Let’s make Saturday another memorable occasion.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game

Visit Maidstone United’s website: www.maidstoneunited.co.uk

Maidstone United v AFC Wimbledon
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Fourth Qualifying Round
Saturday 25^th October 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Bourne Park, Central Park, Eurolink, Church Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3SB