Jones plots FA Cup giantkilling

Wednesday 26th August 2009

SEVENOAKS TOWN boss Simon Jones is banking on yet another inspirational display from midfielder Guy Smith as his side aim to produce a FA Cup giant killing on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Jones takes his side to Ryman League Division One South side Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday, looking to cause a preliminary round upset at Champion Hill.

And former Fulham youngster Smith endured a mixed couple of games against Tunbridge Wells in the Extra Preliminary Round as Sevenoaks enjoyed a rare victory over their local rivals.

Smith was red-carded during the first tie at Culverden Stadium with Sevenoaks winning 2-1 at the time before Martin Larkin’s side grabbed a late equaliser.

Sevenoaks booked their place in the next round with a late volley as Sevenoaks took advantage of home soil to win the replay 2-1.

Smith therefore turned from zero to hero in the space of three days, pleasing Jones.

“I would like him to continue where he left off in the second match and continue to be a hero,” Jones told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“Guy, for me, has been the find of the season for me early doors. He’s got an exceptional bright future for a guy who is only nineteen or 21 year old.

“The level of football he’s playing is superb and he will go a long way. He came from playing Sevenoaks and District Premier League - the club’s third team - and he certainly sets Sevenoaks’ alight.

“He’s very much a Sevenoaks boy, Sevenoaks through and through. I believe, as a youngster, he was at Fulham, so he’s had some good coaching and guidance and it’s evident.

“I wouldn’t be surprised that clubs in a higher level than Sevenoaks, if he continues playing the way he is, will keep an eye on him.”

Jones, meanwhile, warns Gavin Rose’s Dulwich Hamlet not to underestimate his side - something that Ryman One South rivals Folkestone Invicta almost found to their peril at this stage last season.

In what was the most exciting game played in Kent last season, Sevenoaks stunned their higher league opponents by leading 2-0 after 61 minutes before Folkestone fought back and then Neil Cugley’s side lead 4-3 before a stunning last-gasp free-kick gave Jones’ battlers a deserved draw, before Folkestone recovered and comfortably won the replay.

“Cup shock against Dulwich? I don’t know about that!” said Jones. “Dulwich are a very, very, very good side, got some really talented boys.

“It would be nice to get a Cup shock. I think we’ll have to raise our game significantly, I must admit.

“I’m confident Dulwich will allow us to play our football, we’ll probably allow them to play their football, not by design.

“I’m hoping it’s going to be a really good open free-flowing game of football, two sides that will attack and score goals and play some good, positive football on the ground.”

Jones added: “Of course we’d like to have an upset as long as we perform on the day, we’ll see what happens after that.”

Jones was pleased that his side broke their hoodoo against Tunbridge Wells and hopes they can go another round further than normal.

But this tie has the makings of one of those ties that typifies what a great Cup competition the FA Cup is.

When asked what the FA Cup means to him, Jones replied, “It’s everybody’s schoolboys dream isn’t it? Everybody’s been around the park with their mates, everyone’s scored the winner at Wembley for whatever daydream their into and just to be part of it, even at this early stage, is nice.

“I must admit, when I’m at work, talking to friends outside of football and when they say who we’re playing at the weekend, and you say Dulwich Hamlet in the FA Cup, you can see in their reaction that everybody’s interested in the FA Cup and if we do manage to get one over Dulwich in the FA Cup, it’s happy days!

“Eddie Diplock, our club secretary, made an important statement (before the first game against Tunbridge Wells), saying every year Sevenoaks seem to get through the Extra Preliminary Round and then we fall at the next hurdle.

“It would be wonderful, just like we got rid of the jinx over Tunbridge Wells, if we could get over that jinx - we don’t need to motivate the players for the FA Cup!”

Visit Sevenoaks Town’s website: www.sevenoakstownfc.org

Dulwich Hamlet v Sevenoaks Town

FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Preliminary Round

Saturday 29th August 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, Dog Kennel Hill, London SE22 8BD