FA TROPHY QUARTER-FINALS: Let's make this weekend something special for Kent football

Two Kent sides are just a win away from a possible meeting in the semi-finals of the FA Carlsberg Trophy, writes Stephen McCartney.

Gravesend & Northfleet and Welling United are both gunning for victories this weekend to earn places in the last four of the national competition and hopefully a possible visit to the new Wembley Stadium.

And the Fleet are hoping to have one step in the semi-finals when they travel to Northwich Victoria tomorrow (3pm).

Boss Liam Daish takes his side to Wincham Avenue for the second time this season, having bagged three points in a 2-1 win in November.

HURDLE:  Gravesend & Northfleet boss Liam Daish takes his side up to Northwich Victoria tomorrow for a place in the semi-finals of the FA Carlsberg Trophy at stake.
Photo courtesy of www.gnfc.co.uk


On that occasion goals from Onome Sodje and Danny Slatter secured three points for the Fleet and Daish feels his side are more than capable of getting past their latest hurdle.

“We’ve got to win the game first and if we can get through Saturday we’re a step closer but we’re still a long way to go yet,” he told BBC Radio Kent.

“You don’t go through and win trophies or cups without having to test yourself and have difficult hurdles to get over.”

The Fleet boss believes his side will have to “graft” to get through to the last four.

He said: “This is getting into a stage of the competition where there’s no mugs in there.

“There all good sides and this is where you’ve got to really graft and get over difficult tests put in front of you.”

Despite being higher in the Nationwide Conference table, Daish believes league form will go out the window.

“We’re evenly matched sides,” he said. “Yes, we’re ahead of them in the league but not league’s above the in ability or stature or anything really.

“But we’re doing allright, we’re working hard and as a team we’re a good side. As individuals we’re very ordinary.

“We had a good result up there earlier on in the season - a partisan crowd and it was quite a physical battle and I won’t expect anything else.

“It’s something I look forward to going into situations like that and I just hope the players are.

“You either go out there and enjoy that side of it or you shrink a little bit.”

And Wings boss Adrian Pennock wants Park View Road to be filled up with passionate supporters for Sunday’s (1pm) showdown against holders Grays Athletic.

Pennock has told his team to put on a performance that Kent football and the club can be proud off.

RALLYING CRY:  Welling United manager Adrian Pennock calls for all Kent football fans to cheer his team onto victory against holders Grays Athletic at Park View Road on Sunday (1pm).
Photo courtesy of www.wellingunited.com

“We want to win,” Pennock said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk on Friday night.

“We want them (our players) to go out and enjoy themselves. It’s a big occasion for them and put on a performance.

“There’s a lot at stake. Welling haven’t got past this stage of the competition before. We want a good performance, but more importantly the win.”

But former Gillingham star Pennock knows the game will be tough - but issued a rallying cry for all Kent football fans to attend the game and to see them through.

“Obviously we know it’s going to be a difficult game,” he said. “Grays are in a false position at the moment. They’ve got some very good players, a very good team.

“It will be a big, big test for us but what I want, I want the fans to turn out in numbers and get behind the boys from first whistle to last.

“Since I’ve been at the club they’ve been fantastic for me. I want them to get behind the boys and be noisy.

“We could do something special and get into the semi-finals of a major trophy.”

Pennock knows that their Essex visitors will not surrender their grip on the Trophy.

“Individually there a very good team,” he warned. “They’re not flying at the moment and everybody knows that. There’s a bit of unrest, they’re on their fourth manager this season but they have the right manager in there now and Justin Edinburgh will turn it around.

“They play very good football and their missing lady luck at the moment - let’s hope they don’t get any on Sunday.

“The players are right up for it and all this week in training they’ve been buzzing and they’re really up for it and I hope they put on a very good performance.

“I’d love it for them (to win because) it will be great because they’ve been exceptionally great for me - their attitude has been first class.”

Pennock will decide which goalkeeper will start the game with Paul Hyde and David Wilkinson vying for the goalkeeper’s jersey as former Tonbridge Angels’ goalkeeper Jamie Turner is still nursing a facial injury.

Tony Battersby, meanwhile, is forced to sit-out as he’s cup tied.

Two Kent sides in the semi-final?

“It will be fantastic,” said Ipswich born Pennock. “Liam’s doing a great job at Gravesend and it will be great for the county to get two teams through.

“Hopefully Gravesend will go through tomorrow, we will be rooting for them and hopefully we’ll join them on Sunday.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering the game at Park View Road on Sunday.

Visit club websites:

www.gnfc.co.uk

www.wellingunited.com

Welling United v Grays Athletic
FA Carlsberg Trophy Quarter-Final
Sunday 25^th February 2007
Kick Off 1:00pm
At Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY