We are not being fooled by Sporting Club Thamesmead’s position in the table, says FC Elmstead boss Fabio Rossi

FC ELMSTEAD manager Fabio Rossi says his players are in confident mood going into Friday night’s clash against struggling league rivals Sporting Club Thamesmead.

The two Kent clubs lock horns in The Buildbase FA Vase First Round at Oakley Road – but Rossi will be missing the game as he left on a cruise on the eve of the game.

FC Elmstead have knocked out Southwick (2-1) and AFC Uckfield Town (1-0) on their travels and are playing in the First Round for the very first time.

The Cockerels are in 12^th place in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division table, having collected four wins, for draws and three defeats in the league this season.

Sporting Club Thamesmead are struggling in the same league and arrive in Bromley struggling in the bottom two, winning one, drawing two and losing six of their league games.

Jointly-managed by Danny Joy and Ross Baker, the artist formerly known as Seven Acre & Sidcup, needed two bites of the cherry to knock out Ringmer and are also making their First Round debut.

“It’s all ground breaking news for Elmstead, it’s the furthest Elmstead have been,” said Rossi.

“We are all looking forward to the tie. We are not being fooled by Sporting Club Thamesmead’s position in the table.

“We have watched them a few times and are still a very decent outfit that have two very good strikers.

“I think they are in a period of transition and that’s probably why results have not been so good this season.

“We are in a confident mood. On our day, as we have already proved this season, we can beat anyone in our division.

“Everything is set up and ready to go. We are hoping for our second biggest crowd in our history and hopefully a win.”

Rossi revealed that the only injury concern for tomorrow night’s game is George Bryan.

FC Elmstead  v  Sporting Club Thamesmead
The Buildbase FA Vase First Round
Friday 21^st October 2016
Kick Off 7:45pm
at 68 Oakley Road, Bromley, Kent BR2 8HQ