With no professional club football taking place in the top two divisions because of the international weekend, a bumper crowd is anticipated for tomorrow’s eagerly awaited fixture with Maidstone United, last season’s biggest FA Cup giantkillers.
Maidstone’s elimination of Ipswich Town made national headlines while they were also just a couple of games away from promotion, losing in the playoff semifinal to Worthing.
Few Town fans will ever forget that heartbreaking FA Cup fourth qualifying encounter in 2017-18 when, then a Step One club, Maidstone saved their blushes on home soil with a last-gasp equaliser, only to knock us out in the replay.
Tomorrow’s game represents a very different scenario, of course, but one which takes on its own significance with Town in the bottom three and the Stones, despite pre-season expectations, only two places higher with one win in seven.
Because of technical issues at Thursday’s training session, Town’s preparations had to be cut short but the addition of three new players will have provided a timely boost, including the return of one-time fans’ favourite Harry Ottaway.
“It signifies a bit of intent to push on. We needed some players who can defend our box better and also be a threat in the opponents’ area,” said Gavin Macpherson following the signings of Harry, 28-year-old Carl Mensah from Bedford Town and Harley Mills, 19, from Peterborough, the latter two both defenders and Harley, who can also play in midfield, initially on a one-month loan.
“Harry and Carl are big characters in the dressing room as well as what they can give us on the pitch while Harley, although only 19, has league experience.”
“I’m particular indebted to (Peterborough director of football) Barry Fry for allowing Harley to be available for next week’s FA Cup tie.”
Gavin is anticipating another momentous challenge against our Kent visitors, not so long ago a league club who are arguably in a false position and are still smarting from a 5-1 home defeat to Chelmsford on Tuesday. A sizeable away following is anticipated for the 3pm kickoff.
“We’re playing another full-time side with every day of the week to prepare so most of the pressure is on them from the point of view of being the bigger club,” said Gavin. “I expect them to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.
“But the pitfalls are plain. We are also under pressure. The stats on possession and shots tell us there’s been an improvement in terms of some of the teams we have played more recently but we keep falling the wrong side of the one that matters – which is picking up points. I’ve always said our supporters are the best in the league and we need as many as possible to get behind the team tomorrow.”
AW