We’ve watched Roffey online and they’re a very good team, says Lordswood boss Matt Barman

LORDSWOOD manager Matt Barman says his young squad face a great challenge for their trip to lower-league leaders Roffey in The FA Vase First Round tomorrow.

Roffey play one level beneath Lordswood and are two points clear of Dorking Wanderers B at the top of the Southern Combination Division One table, having won 10 and drawn one of their 12 league games.

Lordswood, meanwhile, are in 12^th place in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table with 12 points from their first nine league games.

“It’s a great challenge for our young squad.  Our average age if 19-20, including an 18-year-old captain and for many of the boys it’s their first playing in the tournament,” said Barman.

“We’ve won our two previous ties well although the results were probably a bit flattering.

“We’ve watched Roffey online and they’re a very good team.  They have won their last eight games (in all competitions) so will be full of confidence.”

Reflecting on Lordswood’s league position in the ninth-tier, Barman replied: “Once we reach halfway we will fully reflect and set our aspirations.

“The second half of the season must look better than the first half to justify why we have gone with such a young squad.”

Lewis Mingle (holiday) and goalkeeper Tom Crump return to the squad for tomorrow’s trip to Horsham.

Roffey  v  Lordswood
The Isuzu FA Vase First Round
Saturday 21 October 2023
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Channells Brook, Batholomew Way, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 5JL