We all know how hard it is running a club at this level and those behind the scenes at the club do a tremendous job so it would be nice to give something back, says Sporting Club Thamesmead boss Joe Ford

SPORTING CLUB THAMESMEAD manager Joe Ford says spirits are high going into tomorrow’s FA Vase First Qualifying Round tie against Sussex based side Midhurst & Easebourne at Bayliss Avenue.

 

The Acre go into the clash having lost 2-1 at home to Sutton Athletic last Saturday, before bouncing back with a 2-2 draw at Bridon Ropes on Bank Holiday Monday.

Ford has guided the Thamesmead based club to eighth-place in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division table, having collected 10 points from their opening six league games and are currently six points adrift of league leaders Welling Town.

“It’s been a positive start to the season so far that as a management team and club we are quite content with,” said Ford.

“I feel that we have been competitive in every game that we’ve played, which is a testament to the new squad that we’ve put together and considering the tough start we’ve had, having played three teams currently occupying the top six in the table, I feel as a whole we are on the right path.

“I won’t lie, I was disappointed to only take one point from the bank holiday weekend after leading against Sutton Athletic on Saturday and then fighting back from 2-0 down against Bridon Ropes, only to miss a last minute penalty to win the game but we are still learning as a group and I’m sure the lads will be better for it.”

Sporting Club Thamesmead will scoop £550 should they beat a Midhurst & Easebourne side that are in tenth-place in the Southern Combination Division One table, having won two and lost three of their first five league outings.

“It will be nice to have a little break from league action on Saturday and play in the FA Vase, which is a great competition and great chance for the club to earn some much needed prize money and hopefully progress,” said Ford, whose club will bank £175 should they lose.

“We all know how hard it is running a club at this level and those behind the scenes at the club do a tremendous job so it would be nice to give something back.

“We have a tough draw though and will have to be at our best to get into the hat for the next round.

“Our opponents have scored a lot of goals in recent games and are a real threat going forward so, of course, we need to be prepared for that but we are just concentrating on our own performance and being the best we can in each game we play.

“We have another really tough month coming up but spirits are high and we are looking forward to it.”

Visit Sporting Club Thamesmead’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/sportingclubthamesmeadfc

Sporting Club Thamesmead  v  Midhurst & Easebourne
The Buildbase FA Vase First Qualifying Round
Saturday 1 September 2018
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London SE28 8NJ