The Road to Wembley: Kent managers focus on second chances - EXCLUSIVES

Knowing the prize of winning their midweek FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Second Qualifying Round replay’s, three Kent managers are keeping focused on the job in hand, writes Stephen McCartney.

Tony Burman takes his Dartford side to in-form Combined Counties League side Camberley Town on Tuesday night, looking to finish off the job.

If they do, then they will travel to either Aylesbury United (British Gas Division One Midlands) or Blue Square South outfit Bromley in the third qualifying round on 13^th October.

The Darts were held to a 2-2 draw at Princes Park on Saturday against a Camberley Town side that’s lost just once from their first thirteen competitive outings.

“Well, it went ok. We are still in the FA Cup at the moment and it was a difficult Cup tie,” Burman said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“It was how Cup ties go, with the favourites, which was us, and Camberley the underdogs, and I felt we had enough chances in the game to win it.

“When we took the lead on two occasions, we didn’t kill the game off.

“Credit to Camberley. I felt they played really well against us and they hit two fantastic strikes from long distance, which got them a well earned replay.”

Burman will make a decision ahead of the Krooner Park clash whether to play Ryan Hayes as the talented former Slade Green winger has now recovered from his broken metatarsal.

“He might be included in the squad, I don’t know yet. We’re having a think about it,” said Burman.

“It’s going to be a difficult place and we have to go here and win the game, which we’re more capable of doing.

“Although I didn’t think we played that well Saturday, we created enough chances to kill the game when we was in the lead.”

Burman asks his side to do a professional job on the lower league side, explaining that the Surrey side enjoyed their day out at Princes Park at the weekend.

“Their manager said Camberley had a coach to the match, they had a pre-match meal and their club treated their players really well,” he said.

“He said it’s (Krooner Park) is not as nice as here (Princes Park), felt our ground was fantastic and it was a typical Cup tie, favourites versus underdogs.

“They’re hoping to get a result (on home soil) but we’re looking to get a result for our benefit.”

Neil Cugley, whose Folkestone Invicta side have won four of their five away outings this season, hopes his side win their replay at Windsor & Eton on Tuesday night.

Invicta played out a goalless draw against the Royalists on Saturday and Cugley wants his side to progress into the third qualifying round.

If they do, Enfield Town (Ryman One North) or Hillingdon Borough (Southern League Division One South & West) will visit the Buzzlines Stadium, Cheriton Road on 13^th October.

“We’re disappointed really,” Cugley said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk about Saturday’s stalemate.

“We didn’t play well, especially first half. We changed things around at half-time and we were a bit better second half. If I’m being honest I thought a draw was a fair result.

“We had a few opportunities second half, I’m disappointed we didn’t take any of them.”

Looking further ahead, Cugley is pleased that his side will have home advantage in the next round - but have to win at Stag Meadow first.

Folkestone Invicta have only won once - last week’s stunning 3-2 win over Billericay Town - on home soil.

“It’s nice to have a home game,” he said. “It’s a plus to have a home game, it’s a good draw - but we have to get through Windsor first!”

Despite scoring nine goals so far this season, Tony Dolby believes the best is yet to come for his star-striker Jon Main, writes Stephen McCartney.

Main, 26, who netted a record breaking 44 goals for Tonbridge Angels last season, netted a brace as the Ryman Premier League club salvaged a 2-2 draw against Ryman One North outfit Maldon Town on Saturday.

Dolby, taking charge of his 200^th game as manager of the west Kent club, was disappointed that his players’ had to settle for a Tuesday night replay in Essex.

“We started off very well, thoroughly deserved to be leading, and then we stopped doing what we was doing, which was getting us a lot of success, and we let them back into the game,” he said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

And on Main, he said: “He’s not having the best of times at the moment, Jon, but he’s still scoring goals and that makes the difference.”

The Angels will travel to either Chesham United (British Gas Division One Midlands) or Stotfold (Eagle Bitter United Counties Premier) in the next round - if Dolby wins his first ever game at Maldon Town’s Park Drive ground on Tuesday night.

“They’re unbeaten all year, they’re a decent, organised side,” warned Dolby.

“We go there with no fear, having seen what they’ve got. We have to make sure we defend better from set-pieces against them and pass the ball the way we know we can.”

Dolby’s side reached the fourth and final qualifying round of the FA Cup last season, being knocked out by a workmanlike Newport County side last season.

“I have seen the draw but it will be a tough ask tomorrow,” said Dolby, who will assess players’ fitness during Monday night’s training session.

Kent League side Herne Bay will welcome Essex giants Chelmsford City (Ryman Premier League) to Winch’s Field on 13^th October in the third qualifying round, if Jason Lillis’ side take advantage of home comforts in their replay against Hayes & Yeading United (Blue Square South) on Wednesday night.

And Herne Bay chairman, Mr John Bathurst believes his club can produce a giant-killing.

"We were not overawed on Saturday and played good football," he said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk from America.

"Don’t know if they under-estimated us but I am sure they will know they have a real fight on their hands.

"The Bay will be up for it and our pitch will be totally different to theirs.

"Maybe we can get the win, hope so, because Chelmsford are a big club in a lower league than Hayes & Yeading United, with good support, so it would be a good earner for the club."

One thing is for certain, however, the Winch's Field clash will attract more than the 211 that watched the first match at Church Road.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this match at Winch's Field.