Maidstone United goalkeeper Lee Worgan: My Cup Final would be to draw a Premier League or Championship side if I was to ever make the Third Round as I would love to test myself against that type of opposition

MAIDSTONE UNITED goalkeeper Lee Worgan says his team-mates have adapted to life in the Vanarama National League.

The newly-promoted Stones are in 16^th-place in the table, having collected 22 points from their 18 games – a comfortable nine points clear of the relegation zone.

“I think the club as a whole has adapted themselves very quickly to life in the National League,” said Worgan, 32.

“It was always going to be a difficult task for everyone with extra travel, playing budgets along with all the other costs involved and I think from a board level they have been excellent towards us as a team and done everything they can to make sure that we have what we need to compete.

“I believe on the pitch we started the first 10 games extremely well, probably a mix of elevation among the players combined with playing against some big clubs, but I think we have had a sticky period of four or five games where individual performances dropped and we were getting punished for mistakes but we have turned a corner in recent weeks and results have picked up.

“It was always going to be a big ask for everyone after jumping up the leagues so quickly but all-in-all I believe we have done well.”

Worgan knows first hand what it’s like between the Vanarama National League South and the top-flight.

He said: “Aside from the massive clubs you have at this level and the big stadiums you play at, I believe the two big differences between the two leagues are the fitness in terms of the speed of transition from defence to attack.  They just seem to come at you so quickly and I think the quality of the forward players is so much better.  They only need half a chance and they seem to create an opportunity or score.”

Maidstone United fought back to earn a 2-2 draw on Sutton United’s artificial pitch, before Macclesfield Town were defeated 2-1 at home on Saturday.

“The Sutton game was a difficult one because we really wanted to use that game to turn our poor run of form around and after 23 minutes we were 2-0 down, but we showed great character to come back in the game and take a good point,” added Worgan.

“The Macclesfield game started in exactly the same fashion with having to come from behind but the team built on the confidence drawn from the performance on the Tuesday night and we managed to get our first win at home for a couple of months, a draw and a win that were very much needed.”

A 3-1 home win over Ryman Premier Leaguers Billericay Town, has sealed a home tie against League One side Rochdale in The FA Emirates FA Cup First Round.

The game has been switched to Sunday at 14:00 and Worgan hopes Maidstone United can make it through to the Third Round to fulfil a lifetime dream of his.

Rochdale arrive in Kent sitting in the top six in the League One table with 24 points from 16 games – they occupy the final play-off berth and are 10 points adrift of leaders Scunthorpe United.

“Rochdale will be a difficult game,” he said.

“They have had a great start in League One and will be a very professional team in terms of their set-up.  I believe they like to play good football so it will be a very good test for us.

“Without sounding to cliché, I love playing in The FA Cup, not to win it obviously or even get close to that stage, but my Cup Final would be to draw a Premier League or Championship side if I was to ever make the Third Round as I would love to test myself against that type of opposition. 

“The FA Cup has given me some great memories in recent years so I always enjoy the games in the competition.

“I have had so many good times at this football club, it’s been a crazy journey so far, from winning the Ryman Premier to beating Stevenage live on BT Sport, but to win the play-offs in the manner that we did away at Ebbsfleet last season, which was one of the best games I’ve been involved in, will always be my best moment and that moment really hit home when we walked out at Prenton Park against Tranmere Rovers as League equals, which was amazing!

“We as a club and team are thoroughly enjoying the challenge of the National League and hope to keep our form going into Sunday’s FA Cup game.”

Visit Maidstone United’s website: www.maidstoneunited.co.uk

Maidstone United  v  Rochdale
The Emirates FA Cup First Round
Sunday 6^th November 2016
Kick Off 2:00pm
At The Gallagher Stadium, James Whatman Way, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1LQ