Today marks a special day in the clubs history where we will look to bank our name in the hat for the next round, says Holmesdale boss Lee Roots

HOLMESDALE manager Lee Roots says playing in The FA Vase First Round for the first time marks a special day in the clubs history.

Home wins over Kent Football United (4-2) and Old Varndeanians (2-0) has set up another home tie against AFC Uckfield Town today, who play one level higher and are in fifth-place in the Southern Combination Premier Division table, six points adrift of the leaders, Saltdean United.

Holmesdale are in third-place in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division with 15 points from their six league outings and have celebrated winning their last seven games, while their opponents have lost their last three.

“Today sees us play and compete in the FA Vase First Round proper for the very first time in the clubs 75-year history, which is a very proud moment for all of us as staff, players, committee members and everyone involved within the club," said Roots, the former manager of Chipstead (Kent) and Forest Hill Park.

"We now look to go even better by making more club history and making passage into the second round.

“Today’s opposition, AFC Uckfield Town, have had a mixed start to their season so far, winning six games, losing five and drawing two.

“They started the season brightly but have recently found themselves on the end of some tight results going against them.

“History tells us that in the FA competitions, form guides and league positions are irrelevant on the day, they are an opposition who will fight all the way until the end and I expect that to be exactly the same today.

“We have prepared very well for our opposition, we have done our homework and we now focus on us and ourselves only as with every opposition we face.

“Everyone at the club are working extremely hard this season on and off the pitch and today marks a special day in the clubs history where we will look to bank our name in the hat for the next round.”

Holmesdale v AFC Uckfield Town
The Buildbase FA Vase First Round
Saturday 31 October 2020
Kick Off 3:00pm
at 68 Oakley Road, Bromley, Kent BR2 8HQ