We've got a chance to put ourselves in the record books, says Dover Athletic boss Martin Hayes

The two sides met at Crabble back in September with Dover winning 6-3 – but former Arsenal star Hayes told www.kentishfootball.co.uk that he is anticipating a tougher game at Cherrywood Road tomorrow.

He said: “I’m expecting a really, really tough game tomorrow.  I know we beat them in the league recently but they’ve gone undefeated since and changed a few personnel and I’m sure they’re hoping to get revenge for those 3 points we took off them in a nine goal thriller.

“I’m sure they will set their stall out a lot differently and the mentalities of the two teams will be different.  They will be looking to make amends and mine will have to be on top of their game. 

“We can’t afford to get complacent of what they did before.”

Dover Athletic last reached the first round of the FA Cup in 2002 – when they were cruelly defeated by Oxford United at Crabble.

It’s about time a club the size of Dover Athletic enjoy those days again – and that’s exactly what Hayes is plotting against Steve King's side.

“You’ve got to throw everything out of the window, form wise, league tables. It really comes down to who wants it more on the day and who will get that little bit of luck,” said Hayes.

“I’ve got told it’s once in 28 years and when someone said that to me that seems quite a long time for a club of Dover’s size not to be involved in the first round. Hopefully we get another opportunity.

“We’ve got a chance to put ourselves in the record books and be known as the team of 2010 to (reach the first round proper) and that’s what they’ve got to do, but they’ve got to want it more than the eleven Farnborough players who want it as well tomorrow.

“It’s the Joy of the Cup, it’s very much who wants it on the day.  We’ve got our work cut out and we’ve got to bounce back from a couple of in-different performances and results as well.”

Hayes will settle for a replay tomorrow – just as long as his side are in the televised live draw on ITV at 12:30pm on Sunday afternoon  – and that they finish off the job at Crabble on Tuesday night.

“I wouldn’t be unhappy if we have to come back to us on Tuesday,” added Hayes.

“The main thing is to try and be in the draw on Sunday.  If we can’t win, our next objective is not to lose and we’ll have another crack at it on home soil and a good atmosphere at Dover for a Tuesday night game.

“We know we’ve got a big, big battle to try and get ourselves in the first round, but it’s a prize you’ve got to grab with both hands and try and take.”

There will be some former Premier League’s clubs included in Sunday’s First Round draw – and Hayes wants Dover Athletic to be in the hat.

“There’s some massive clubs and that’s what makes it so exciting now.  You start chucking in the little ones with the big ones and you can have great away days at a league ground and you might get the big ones to come to you and you’re on telly.

“There’s always one non-league club every year that gets that little boost and all the accolades and all the attention and who knows if we win tomorrow that could be us.”

Visit Dover Athletic’s website: www.doverathletic.com

Farnborough  v  Dover Athletic
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Fourth Qualifying Round
Saturday 23^rd October 2010
Kick Off 3:00pm
At The Rushmoor Stadium, Cherrywood Road, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 8UD