Facing Cray Valley PM 'just as tough' as FA Cup clashes with AFC Wimbledon, Cheltenham, Leeds - and Hawks can expect the same at Marine FC

Midfielder Bedsente Gomis certainly won't be underestimating the size of task facing the Hawks at Marine FC in the FA Cup second round on Sunday.
Bedesente Gomis celebrates his winner against Cray Valley PM. Picture: Dave HainesBedesente Gomis celebrates his winner against Cray Valley PM. Picture: Dave Haines
Bedesente Gomis celebrates his winner against Cray Valley PM. Picture: Dave Haines

The 32-year-old might have come up against AFC Wimbledon, Cheltenham Town, Leeds and Premier League Arsenal in a remarkable run to the fifth round with Sutton back in the 2016/17 season.

But he reckons the Hawks’ 1-0 win over Isthmian League South East Division minnows Cray Valley Paper Mills in the previous round was 'one of the toughest' fixtures he's faced in the competition.

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Gomis' first-half header proved the difference as Paul Doswell’s side set up another tie with a team from two-divisions below them.

Eight tier Northern Premier League North West outfit Marine stand between the Hawks and a place in the third round for just the second time in the club's 22-year history.

Yet the Merseysiders are fresh from a penalties victory at League Two Colchester in round one.

Despite the Hawks sitting 43 places above their opponents in the English pyramid, Gomis is expecting another tough test - just like Cray Valley PM provided them at Westleigh Park.

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‘It was one of the toughest (games) to be honest. (against Cray Valley),' revealed Gomis.

‘I remember playing when I was at Sutton against league (Football League) clubs and that one against Cray Valley was tougher then some of those games, honestly.

'It was one of the toughest games I’ve played and I played against AFC Wimbledon, Cheltenham and Leeds when I was at Sutton. Honestly, this one was tough.‘I can’t explain but it was tough.‘We know what to expect on Sunday and if we don’t turn up we will get beat.'

Gomis is expecting to come up a Marine side full of confidence on the back of their cup shock at Colchester in the last round.

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But, classed as 'non-elite', Neil Young's men have only been able to train since then and will have gone three weeks without a competitive fixture when they host the Hawks.Although two National League South Covid-19 postponements mean Doswell's side have only completed two games themselves since beating Cray Valley PM.

Gomis is expecting the battle between the non-league pair to be a 'very interesting' one.

‘I think they (Marine) should be (confident),' added the Frenchman.

'They can be proud of what they have done.

‘They’ve beaten Chester, they’ve beaten Colchester and they should be proud already.

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‘But we’re confident as well because we’ve got an experienced team, we’ve all played at different levels and we know the game as well.

‘Obviously, we’ll definitely go into the game with a lot of confidence. That’s why I think it’s going to be very interesting.’

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