FA Trophy Special: We must keep focused in every game, says Walker

MAIDSTONE UNITED joint-boss Alan Walker has slammed his players attitudes as they crashed to a 3-1 defeat away to Horsham last night, writes Stephen McCartney.

That was after they booked their place in the fourth and final qualifying round thanks to their impressive 4-1 win up at Halesowen Town last Saturday.

That result set-up a lucrative home clash against Blue Square South side AFC Wimbledon on Saturday, 25^th October, but Walker, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight, admitted minds were elsewhere when they took to the field at Woodside Road, Worthing.

Walker has told his side to remain focused, just like their next opponents, AFC Hornchurch.

The Urchins also booked their place in the last qualifying round of the FA Cup last weekend and went on to defeat Kent side Tonbridge Angels 3-0 in the league a couple of nights ago.

“Definitely a FA Cup hangover,” admitted Walker, who was without influential midfielder, Jay Saunders last night, as the former Margate star became a father.

“But as far as I’m concerned we were different (with) our attitude towards the game. We could sense that and we spoke about it before the game with the players and they weren’t as up for the game as they were (at Halesowen) on Saturday, last night, without a shadow of a doubt.

“I would have to say it was because of (playing) Wimbledon, because of the euphoria of the FA Cup and we spoke about the bread and butter is more important as far as were concerned.

“We have to make sure we don’t get caught in the same position like we was last year. We were in a reasonably strong position before the game and now we’re in an average one.”

Walker wants to avoid being held to the Urchins on Saturday, to give the side enough preparation time ahead of their winner-takes-all showdown against AFC Wimbledon at Bourne Park the following Saturday.

“We don’t want to be playing a game (in midweek) before (next) Saturday,” said Walker.

“Unfortunately we picked up quite a few injuries last night and we’ve only got a small squad anyway and we’ll be struggling with terms of personnel.

“We try to go out and win every game and we’ll be doing our best.”

Walker revealed that Meshach Nugent (hamstring), Ian Selley (Achilles), Kevin Watson (ankle) and Roland Edge (hamstring) are all injury concerns at present.

Speaking briefly about the AFC Wimbledon showdown, Walker added: “It’s a big game, we want to win it desperately as it gives us a bit of glory and a bit of quid for the club. But my priority is to keep this club in this division.”

Looking at the current Ryman Premier League table, Walker doesn’t have to press the panic button just yet. His side are currently in eighth place, although they are ten points from both top spot and the drop zone.

AFC Hornchurch, meanwhile, go into Saturday’s clash in eleventh place in the table, with a record of five wins and two draws from their twelve outings.

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

Maidstone United v AFC Hornchurch
FA Carlsberg Trophy First Qualifying Round
Saturday 18^th October 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Bourne Park, Central Park, Eurolink, Church Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3SB