We really want to win in the first round of The FA Cup, says Holmesdale joint-boss John-Paul Collier

Thursday 15th August 2013

HOLMESDALE joint-manager John-Paul Collier says he wants to get beat his former club East Grinstead Town in The FA Cup on Saturday.

The Bromley-based club have played only five games in The FA Cup in their seven-year history at their current level.

Holmesdale won their one and only game in the competition on 15 August 2009 when they won 2-1 at Hartley Wintney in the Extra Preliminary Round, before bowing out in a 3-1 home defeat to Badshot Lea in the next round two weeks later.

The Dalers then since suffered defeats to Erith & Belvedere (home 0-2), Shoreham (away, 1-3) and Horley Town (away, 1-5) at the first hurdle.

Holmesdale opened their Southern Counties East Football League campaign with a 3-0 home defeat to Cray Valley last Saturday, but they bounced back with an impressive 4-1 win over Fisher at Champion Hill two days’ later.

East Grinstead Town arrive at Oakley Road sitting in fourth-place in the top flight of the Sussex County League, having collected four points from their opening two league outings.

“It’s a funny one, not only for us, I was player-coach at East Grinstead a couple of seasons ago,” said Collier, 26.

But Collier wasn’t clued up with his own club’s history when he added: “It’s the first time that the FA Cup has been (played) at Holmesdale’s ground. The club has never been passed the first round of The FA Cup.

“We’re going into Saturday, we couldn’t be in a better position (after a 4-1 win) if I’m honest.

“It’s massive for everyone, just to try to achieve a couple of wins in the FA Cup. Realistically the boys want to achieve something better and that’s what they’ll aim for.”

Collier appears to know more about East Grinstead than his own club’s modest FA Cup history.

“I know a lot about them,” he said. “I know their manager, I know their captain who will be playing central midfield. I’m a bit gutted that I’ll be suspended. I won’t be able to play myself so hopefully we’ll get a win and it’ll be a great day.”

The winners of Saturday’s tie will bank £1,500 in prize money from The Football Association.

Collier, who will serve the third of his four match suspension on Saturday, said: “There’s no hiding the fact that none of the boys get paid at this club so for us to win a round and be able to give something back for their efforts would be brilliant and it’s much needed money for the clubs at this level.

“I think the first round (the Extra Preliminary Round) of The FA Cup is something that we really want to win. If you win the first round then you take your chances as and when they come.

“But the first round (the Extra Preliminary Round) is a big thing. The Vase is there for anyone. You saw that with Tunbridge Wells last year. That’s something everyone at this level of in this league can achieve similar things so we’re just looking to get as far as we can.

“We’ve got a big squad, a young team, playing a certain style of football that we’re emphasising so whatever game we play, bottom or top of the league, will stay the same style of football all the way through.”

Visit Holmesdale’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/holmesdalefc

Holmesdale v East Grinstead Town
The FA Cup with Budweiser Extra Preliminary Round
Saturday 17^th August 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
At 68 Oakley Road, Bromley, Kent BR2 8HQ