It’s a big game and occasion for my young squad and it’s something we are going to enjoy to the fullest, says Rusthall boss Jimmy Anderson

RUSTHALL manager Jimmy Anderson says his young squad are relishing playing in The FA Cup for the first time on a personal level.

 

The Rustics travel to Balham tonight in the Extra Preliminary Round, with the winners traveling to play Redhill or K Sports in the Preliminary Round on Saturday 24 August.

Rusthall, who suffered relegation at the end of last season, opened their Southern Counties East Football League First Division campaign with a 1-1 draw at home to Holmesdale last weekend.

Balham, meanwhile, are in eighth-place in the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Division – a level higher than Rusthall – and opened their campaign with a 2-1 win at Camberley Town last weekend.

“It’s a big game and occasion for my young squad and it’s something we are going to enjoy to the fullest,” said Anderson.

“Training was good this week following our 1-1 draw at home to Holmesdale in the league on Saturday.

“The squad is full of confidence going in to this game but Balham are going to be feeling the same as us following their win at the weekend, so it’s going to be a really hard game but that is what you expect when you play in a cup competition like this one.

“Pre-season has gone very well and it has allowed me to put together a really young and hungry squad for this season and for most of the boys this will be the first time that they have played in The FA Cup, as it will be for me to manage in it.

“With this being said, we must not let the occasion take over and instead see this like any other game and enjoy it.

“The FA Cup is the biggest cup competition in England and as for the club it’s massive for us to be playing in it and to try and get as far as we can, so now it comes down to myself and the players’ to get the result we all want.”

Visit Rusthall’s website: www.rusthallfc.com

Balham  v  Rusthall
The Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Friday 9 August 2019
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Wibbandune Stadium, Robin Hood Way, West Wimbledon, London SW20 0AA