We'll make sure the Chips are down, vows Morgan

HERNE BAY manager Barry Morgan has challenged his side to knock Chipstead out of the FA Cup tomorrow night, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Kent League side raced into a 2-0 lead inside the opening 28 minutes through Marc Smith and Danny Lawrence and created - and squandered - numerous chances to see off their Ryman League Division One South opponents.

But a header from Chipstead’s Nathan Campbell gave the Surrey side a lifeline on the stroke of half-time and they snatched a draw courtesy of Neil John later on.

For Morgan, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk on the eve of the replay, he knows his side should already been in the next round - and believes his side can finish off the job.

“We battered them in the first half and missed plenty of chances, real shame, but when you’re playing against higher league opposition, the lads don’t do what they’re supposed to do,” said Morgan.

“But credit to Chipstead, they came out and competed with us in the second half and we had a few more chances.

“We should have won the game and didn’t - let’s hope we can do it Tuesday night!”

Chipstead, a side that’s currently in thirteenth place in the Ryman League Division One South table, with one win and two draws from their opening four games, are favourites to win the replay on home soil.

That, however, doesn’t worry Morgan and his side, as they aim to pull off an upset and earn the right to host Chatham Town or Dorking in the next round on Saturday week.

“We’ve performed exactly the same way every game we’ve played so there’s no reason why we should change what we’ve been doing,” said Morgan.

“We know we can compete physically - let’s hope we can take our chances.”

But Morgan doesn’t know if his star striker Stuart King will be available for the match, adding: “We’re not 100% sure if Stuart’s going to be there tomorrow night - he’s still on his holiday.”

But Morgan doesn’t want Chipstead to turn on the style on home soil.

“In the second half they played like a Ryman League side should,” he said. “Chipstead’s manager was very complementary to us after the game.

“It will be a tough game but we’ve got enough to do it. The pitch is lovely so it suits our type of play - we’re ever hopeful.”

Morgan praised Bay’s Kent League rivals Hythe Town for pulling off a FA Cup preliminary round shock, defeating Ryman League Division One South leaders Walton & Hersham 2-1 at Reachfields Stadium.

He said: I think Hythe did very well, that was a Cup upset, a top grade result beating Walton & Hersham.

“I hope we can follow in their footsteps. We nearly did it Saturday, we’re very hopeful we can do it Tuesday.

“I think it’s good for Kent League football. It shows there’s some very good sides in the Kent League. I know there’s some very poor sides in the Ryman League but Chipstead aren’t a poor side.

“I hope they don’t replicate their second half performance tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, Morgan insisted Will Graham remains at Herne Bay, despite a seven-day approach from his former club, Ramsgate.

“He’s injured at the moment with a hamstring so we haven’t heard any more from Ramsgate so we’re assuming he’s our player,” said Morgan.

“He’s committed to the club. I’m a firm believer of getting these situations sorted. I don’t want the apple cart upset. He’s committed to us, really enjoying it and we haven’t heard anything from Ramsgate so as far as I’m concerned he is still at Herne Bay.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this match

Visit Herne Bay’s website:  www.hernebayfc.net

Chipstead v Herne Bay
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Preliminary Round Replay
Tuesday 2^nd September 2008
Kick Off 7:30pm
At High Road, Chipstead, Surrey CR5 3SF