Walker vows to end his barren FA Cup history

MAIDSTONE UNITED joint-manager Alan Walker wants to improve his own personal FA Cup record.

The Stones welcome fellow Ryman Premier League side Tooting & Mitcham United to Bourne Park today, in the first qualifying round.

“I have been a manager for twelve years now and I have never had a decent run in this competition,” Walker told www.maidstoneunited.co.uk.

“The biggest tie I have taken part in as a manager was when Sittingbourne travelled to Hereford, who at the time were in the Conference.

“When you watch other teams at our level on the TV in the FA Cup it makes you think that it is about time that we got our chances to star in this competition.

“Many managers at this level will tell you that surviving at this level and having a good Cup run will make a good season, but I think we should set our sights higher than that.

“Of course the league is our priority but I hope we can help out the chairman and have a good run in the FA Cup and FA Trophy this season.

“It was a long time ago but the FA Cup highlight during my spell as Maidstone manager was when we beat Redbridge when we were a Kent League side and so we were very much the underdogs (against a side that were then a Blue Square South side).

“As a result, I really hope that we can get through the very tough tie against Tooting and kick start a good Cup run.”

Walker revealed wing-back Kevin Watson and striker Meshach Nugent are doubtful to make the starting line-up.

Article courtesy of www.maidstoneunited.co.uk

Maidstone United v Tooting & Mitcham United
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) First Qualifying Round
Saturday 13^th September 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Bourne Park, Central Park, Eurolink, Church Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3SB