Baffins boss Wilkinson: If my team aren’t up for FA Cup opener they shouldn’t be playing football

Wilkinson was brought in to replace Steve Leigh soon after 2019/20 was brought to an end by Covid-19.

He is no stranger to success in the competition, and was a member of the Hawks side that famously took on Liverpool at Anfield in 2008.

The Hawks lost 5-2 but shook the Premier League giants by taking the lead twice.

Wilkinson had previously played for Weymouth when the non-leaguers held former European champions Nottingham Forest in an FA Cup tie at The City Ground in 2005/06.

As a player Wilkinson was a no-nonsense midfielder who liked to get the ball down and play.

He will be expecting nothing less from his new-look Baffins side.

'The Hawks showed at Anfield that it is not always just about ability,' said Wilkinson.

'We surprised them with the standard of football that we played, but application, dedication and commitment are also big factors.

'I still have Martin Skrtl's shirt in my house and I remember looking to (team-mate) Jamie Collins and saying at the kick-off 'This just like playing Championship manager.'

Wilkinson will expect the team he is building to show the same battling qualities that the Hawks did that day.

AFC Stoneham will present them with a tough first hurdle in the competition.

When the Wessex season was brought to a premature end, the Purples - in their first taste of step 5 football - were in second place.

Wilkinson is hoping his team can gel quickly and make the most of home advantage.

'This is a one-off cup tie that has to be decided on the day,' he said.

'We have got a fantastic new playing surface and must look to make the most of it.

'This is a tough first up game for us and it would have been nice to have got three or four league games under our belt first.

'I am expecting my players to be up for it.

'They have not played for a hundred-odd days and are on a new pitch with a new kit.

'It is the start of a new era and if they can't get up for this one they shouldn't be playing football.'

Wilkinson made three new signings at the weekend - defender Josh Warren, striker Billy Connor and midfielder Charlie Osborne.

Warren, at AFC Portchester last season, and Connor, dual signed with Winchester City and formerly of Gosport and Moneyfields, have been training with the club for a few weeks.

The trio have been brought in to boost numbers because of injuries to the likes of George Way, Adam Brice and Kurt Watts who could be ruled out for up to four or five weeks.

Josh Dean hopes to shake off an injury picked up in a pre-season friendly.

'I want us to play our football in the right areas, score some goals and make it exciting,' said Wilkinson.

Baffins will be home again in the preliminary qualifying round if they beat Stoneham, to either Pagham or Fleet Town who meet tonight.