Moneys aim for an FA Cup upset 2
... but they’ve got to cut out the defensive mistakes
Dave Carter has called on Moneyfields to cut out their defensive mistakes as they bid to spring an FA Cup surprise this weekend.
Moneys welcome highflying Isthmian League Premier Division outfit Cray Wanderers to Dover Road for a second round qualifying tie.
Should Carter's side come through, it would take their seasonal prize money up to just over £7,000 and leave them just two wins away from the first round proper.
But he is fully aware his troops must raise their performance level if they are to have any chance of making it through.
Moneys have shipped nine goals in their four Southern League and FA Cup ties in 2020/21.
On the other hand, Cray have netted 14 times in winning their first four league and cup matches.
‘They’re (Cray) scoring bundles of goals,' said Carter.
'We need to tighten up defensively.
‘We’ve been a bit slack, I feel, in the first four games.
'To come in against them, who are scoring goals freely, we have to be better.
‘It’s a tough, tough game and a tough draw.
‘We’ve got to sort things out defensively and stop giving goals away.
‘I had a word with the lads after (the Tuesday’s 2-0 home league loss to Melksham) and said ‘every goal we’ve conceded this season has been from our own mistakes’.
‘That’s what we’ve got to cut out.
‘But the benefit for us is the onus is on them to win.
‘We are the underdogs and anything can happen in the FA Cup.
‘We’ll give it our best shot, that’s for sure.'
Unlike Hawks, Moneyfields can welcome fans for this weekend’s tie as they are deemed ‘ non-elite’ level - playing below the three National League divisions.
'Hopefully we can get ourselves a big crowd,' added Carter. ‘We’re allowed up to a maximum of 400.'
Tyler Giddings (knee) is the only absentee for Moneyfields against Cray.
Chichester City hit the national headlines last season when they went all the way from the extra preliminary qualifying round to the second round proper.
City - managed by ex-Moneyfields boss Miles Rutherford - have a great chance to reach the third qualifying round.
They have been drawn at home tomorrow against one of only two step 6 clubs left in the tournament, Risborough from the Hellenic League Division One East.
The other step 6 club, Saltash United of the Southwest Peninsula League West, host Southampton-based Sholing.
Those two Step clubs are at the same level as US Portsmouth in Division 1 of the Wessex League.
■ The Wessex League’s last surviving club will be bidding for a huge shock tomorrow. Christchurch, who play at step 5, are hosting three divisions higher only two clubs from the 10th tier of English football remain in the FA Cup
National League North club Gloucester City.
Warrington Rylands, Whitley Bay, Hashtag United, Sheppey United, Corinthian, Christchurch and Royal Wootton Bassett are other step 5 clubs hosting step 2 clubs tomorrow.
But Northern Counties East Premier side AFC Mansfield have the toughest task of all step 5 clubs, needing to travel to National League North club Boston United.