We’ve set up to try to win three games in The FA Cup this year, which as you know is such a big boost to the clubs and the budget, says AFC Croydon Athletic boss Kevin Rayner

AFC CROYDON ATHLETIC manager Kevin Rayner says he wants his club to enjoy a lengthy run in The FA Cup this season.

The Rams are in second-place in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table, having recorded 10 points from their opening four games.

They also thrashed relegated Rochester United 5-0 in The FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round a couple of weeks ago and welcome Hanworth Villa to Mayfield Stadium tomorrow.

Hanworth Villa needed a couple of games to see off Crowborough Athletic at the first hurdle and arrive in Thornton Heath sitting in ninth-place in the Combined Counties League Premier Division, with five points in the bag from their four league outings.

“I did watch them on Tuesday night, they’re a very young side as well, similar to Croydon but they’re a good side,” said Rayner, whose side thrashed Croydon 4-1 at the Croydon Sports Arena on Wednesday night.

“Again, if we do not work hard and do the right things then we’ve got a chance.”

AFC Croydon Athletic have already banked £2,250 from their exploits in the previous round and winners this weekend will scoop a further £2,890 and a further six grand if they win in the First Qualifying Round.

“We’ve set up to try to win three games in The FA Cup this year, which as you know is such a big boost to the clubs and the budget and everything else and that’s our aim and we’re trying to stay in it for as long as we can,” said Rayner.

Rusthall then visit Mayfield Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday (15:00).

The Rustics escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth in the shape of a reprieve and have banked three points from their opening four league games and travel to Bostik South East side Cray Wanderers in The FA Cup tomorrow sitting in the bottom five.

Rayner is confident his side can cope with the hectic start to August.

“We’ve got to get Saturday’s game done but we’ve got a good squad this year of 20 players and it doesn’t matter, the 11 out there, we had three or four missing on Wednesday night and last year we didn’t quite have the strength that we’ve got.”

AFC Croydon Athletic beat a Bromley XI 2-0 at the beginning of the week to retain the JJ Johnson Memorial Trophy.

“We had another game on Monday night as well and it was a good competitive game and everyone in the squad got a bit of a game,” added Rayner.

Visit AFC Croydon Athletic’s website:  www.pitchero.com/clubs/afccroydonathletic

AFC Croydon Athletic  v  Hanworth Villa
The Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round
Saturday 25 August 2018
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Mayfield Stadium, off Mayfield Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey CR7 6DN