Fleet dreaming of Wembley return

EBBSFLEET UNITED boss Liam Daish has urged the freeloaders that turned up to yesterday’s 2-0 win over Swindon Supermarine to return to Stonebridge Road with some cash in their hands when basement side Northwich Victoria visit on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

A crowd of 3,750 took advantage of a freebie, and two goals from striker Michael Gash ensured the holders booked their place in the last eight of the FA Carlsberg Trophy.

They join Forest Green Rovers, Havant & Waterlooville or Crawley Town, AFC Telford, Kidderminster Harriers or York City, Southport, Stevenage Borough and Wrexham in tomorrow’s draw.

And Daish, speaking to BBC Radio Kent yesterday, says he was pleased that his side got past the British Gas Business Premier League side unscathed to keep their hands on the silverware.

“We made life uncomfortable for ourselves in the first half, but at the end of the day we’re still in the competition,” the Wembley winning manager said.

“It’s an important competition, we’ve been put under pressure a little bit, but a lot of people have turned up to see us win, equally a lot of people can turn up to see you lose, but all credit to the players second half.

“I think first half, for whatever reason, we were a little bit apprehensive, definitely made me apprehensive on the touchline, but second half we took the game by the scruff of the neck and we’re more aggressive.”

Daish has challenged Gash to add to the eleven goals that he has scored so far this season.

“It’s good to see Michael back up his performance on Tuesday with another two goals,” said Daish.

“We want to keep him scoring, keep our forwards scoring, and not have too big a gap in-between when they do score, so that was pleasing.”

Daish added, “I thought Jamie Hand was excellent in midfield, even in the first half I thought he was one of the exceptions I could have excused, but second half we came out with a different team and went for it, relaxed and played and looked fairly comfortable in the end.”

The Fleet won the FA Carlsberg Trophy with a 1-0 win over Torquay United on a historic day at Wembley Stadium in May.

Torquay were dumped out of the competition with a 3-0 defeat at Southport yesterday, and Daish says his players don’t stop talking about that magical day, although only a few remain at the Kent club.

“I’d like to think the players that did play there last year are having a little word in their ears saying it’s worth it, it’s worth working hard, it’s worth getting through, it’s worth it, and it was,” said Daish.

“It doesn’t come round that often and you just hope some of the players are giving them a little bit of an insight of what it’s all about.”