There is always that extra prestige that comes any time you are competing within a FA competition and The FA Vase is a great carrot for all players, staff and clubs to go and perform in, says Holmesdale boss Lee Roots

HOLMESDALE manager Lee Roots says he is expecting an extremely tough game for their local derby against AFC Croydon Athletic in The FA Vase Second Qualifying Round tie tomorrow.

 

The Bromley-based outfit are in seventh-place upon their return to the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division, banking 13 points from their 10 league outings.

The Dalers have collected one more point as the club with the largest budget in the division, however, Chatham Town do have five games in hand.

Kevin Rayner’s AFC Croydon Athletic have also played 10 league games but have won only once and drawn three times and are in the bottom five in the Combined Counties League Premier Division South table.

“I am really looking forward to tomorrow’s FA Vase game,” said Roots. 

“There is always that extra prestige that comes any time you are competing within a FA competition and The FA Vase is a great carrot for all players, staff and clubs to go and perform in.

“I’m delighted we have a home fixture for this competition also and we all hope we will see another strong crowd coming out in support.

“Our opposition, AFC Croydon Athletic have only recently left our division, moving laterally across to the Combined Counties League.

“Personally, I get along really well with Kevin Rayner and respect the good work they do at the club. 

“They will be a well-organised, disciplined and motivated opposition and we feel we have prepared diligently in our preparations for the fixture.”

Rayner was in the Oakley Road crowd when Holmesdale were held to a 1-1 draw by Fisher on Wednesday 15 September. 

Holmesdale right-back Jamie Rawsthorne misses tomorrow’s game as he was sent-off during that game.

Roots have added to his squad with Callum Edwards coming in from East Grinstead Town, while Cian McCarthy comes in from neighbouring National League side Bromley.

“Saturday’s fixture will be a very tough game and an exciting challenge ahead of us,” said Roots. 

“The players have been playing excellently in our games so far this season, with just fine margins within certain moments of the games being a difference in some of our results.

“We are all really looking forward to competing in The FA Vase and we will aim to match the best-ever record in this competition by earning passage into the first round proper.”

Holmesdale reached the first round for the first time ever last season but they suffered a 4-2 home defeat to AFC Uckfield Town on 31 October 2020.

Holmesdale  v  AFC Croydon Athletic
The Buildbase FA Vase Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 25 September 2021
Kick Off 3:00pm
at 68 Oakley Road, Bromley, Kent BR2 8HQ