Colliers Wood United will not abandon their entertaining style of football even when they face a side two divisions above them in The Emirates FA Cup, according to manager Tony Hurrell.
United travel to Isthmian League Premier Division side Merstham on Saturday looking to extend their best ever run in the competition.
And, while Hurrell is astutely aware of the challenge facing his side – they have won two league games from seven this season – he will be sticking to his methods at the Moatside Stadium in nearby Surrey.
Merstham v Colliers Wood United
The Emirates FA Cup
Second Round Qualifying
3pm, Saturday 17 September 2016
Moatside Stadium, Merstham FC
Winners receive £4,500 from prize fund
By Andrew Lawton
"It’s a major achievement for a little club like us, we’re punching above our weight," he said.
"We don’t always win but we entertain. We have four or five very good players that are very quick and talented; it’s something that’s a joy to watch.
"It would be a major achievement to get past this round, we are in with the big boys now.
"They are two divisions above us and these are big steps in football, but some of our guys could play at that level, I am confident of that, and some of theirs should probably be at ours."
Colliers Wood United lost 2-0 at home to Bedfont Sports on Wednesday night after being knocked out of The Buildbase FA Vase on Saturday by Bridon Ropes.
Despite the results, Hurrell is expecting to have a full strength squad for the club’s biggest game of the year so far and knows all the players will be desperate to get a starting spot.
"After Saturday’s defeat in The FA Vase the mood has been very sombre, so we are looking forward to The FA Cup," he explained.
"Everyone is up for it and we need to get our mindset right. We had people missing on Saturday but everyone is back for this.
"We will be organised, we have good footballers – anyone who has seen us will tell you that, we play attractive football.
"We are a very quick, speedy side; everyone has a turn of pace so it will be a good game."
Emirates FA Cup history
Colliers Wood United are the last representatives of the Combined Counties League still in The Emirates FA Cup and are in the second round qualifying round for the first time in their 142 year history. Merstham will equal their best-ever FA Cup run, recorded eight years ago, if they are victorious at Moatside on Saturday.
Did you know?
Former England centre back and current England Under-21 boss Gareth Southgate graced the turf at Merstham during an official ‘Floodlight Opener’ against Crystal Palace in the 1990-91 season. Their heaviest defeat in The FA Cup came in 1996-97 when they crashed out of the first round qualifying away to Aldershot Town by 8-1.
One to watch
Colliers Wood striker Mario Embalo was the league’s top goalscorer in 2014-15 with 49 goals. He has only scored once in five appearances by contrast this term, so is due a goal. Merstham have not been short on goalscorers themselves in September, hitting 12 in their three games this month to date. Daniel Bennett has three of those, two of which came from the spot.
The Prize
The winners of the second round qualifying tie will bank a cheque for £4,500 as well as a place in the hat for third round qualifying.
