‘If we want to stay in the FA Cup we have to be better’ – Moneyfields travel to Aylesbury in the first qualifying round

Dave Carter accepts staying in the FA Cup won't be easy as they visit Aylesbury United in Tuesday's first round qualifying tie at Chesham FC’s The Meadow (7.45pm).
Moneyfields take on Worthing in an FA Cup third qualifying round tie in 2018 - the furthest Moneys have ever gone in the tournament. Picture: Vernon NashMoneyfields take on Worthing in an FA Cup third qualifying round tie in 2018 - the furthest Moneys have ever gone in the tournament. Picture: Vernon Nash
Moneyfields take on Worthing in an FA Cup third qualifying round tie in 2018 - the furthest Moneys have ever gone in the tournament. Picture: Vernon Nash

He is urging his side to be switched on from the start against their Southern League Division One Central hosts.

Carter blamed a sluggish opening for their 2-1 opening day league defeat at Cinderford Town.

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He knows they can't afford a repeat against opponents full of confidence following their 1-0 league win at Corby Town.

'It was disappointing at Cinderford that we didn't start playing until we were two goals down,' said Carter.

'If we want to progress in the FA Cup then we have to be better.

'An improvement is needed in both boxes.

'Aylesbury started with a good win at the weekend so this will be a difficult game.

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'Also they play at Chesham's ground which isn't the easiest to get to in midweek.

'Hopefully the M25 will be clear.

'It is important that we dust ourselves down ready to come back after losing our first game.

'Cinderford has always been a bit of a bogey ground for us but we have to put it behind us.

'We have to go into this game believing we can have a good run in the FA Cup.'

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Moneyfields beat Camberley Town 4-2 in the previous round and hope to take encouragement from that.

Up front, the visitors believe they have the firepower to cause Aylesbury problems.

They are boosted by the return of Marley Ridge who went on as a late substitute at Cinderford due to a bruised foot.

'Marley has played at a higher level with the Hawks, Gosport and Hartley Wintney,' said Carter.

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'He brings lots of pace and energy in front of their back four.

'We rested him for most of our first game so that we would have him for the cup tie.'

Alongside Ridge the visitors also possess the power and quality of striker Steve Hutchings and the creativity of George Barker.

Barker scored the consolation at Cinderford and showed his quality on the ball.

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'We need to get the ball to him a bit quicker,' said Carter.

'We will be looking to be better with our final ball and decision making up front.

'At the same time we must avoid giving poor goals away.

'Cinderford's second goal was disappointing from our point of view.'

The visitors welcome Connor Hoare back to their squad after a broken arm but Tyler Giddings is definitely out.

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'We don't have a game on Saturday so we can put everything into this cup tie,' said Carter.

'It won't be easy but I am confident that we can get a result.'

Aylesbury have a proud FA Cup record, having reached the first round proper every season from 1985-86 to 1992/93 inclusive.

They reached the second round three times in that period, including in 1988/89 when they beat Waterlooville 4-1 away in the first round.

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In 1994/95, the Ducks went all the way to the third round proper where they were drawn at home to then Premier League outfit Queens Park Rangers.

The tie was switched to Loftus Road, where a crowd of over 15,000 saw Aylesbury - who had won through six rounds - beaten 4-0.

Aylesbury’s star striker back then was Cliff Hercules, their record goalscorer. Hercules’ son, Max, is in the current squad.

Since 1995, the Ducks have only reached the first round proper once, in 2001/02.

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The furthest Moneyfields have ever reached is the third qualifying round in 2018/19, when they were beaten 3-2 at home by Worthing.

Having already banked £1,444 from beating lower league Camberley, Moneys will receive another £2,250 from the prize pot if they beat Aylesbury.

There are no replays in this season’s FA Cup, so the tie has to be settled at the first attempt.

The second qualifying round takes place on Saturday week, October 3, where clubs at National League South level, including Hawks, enter the competition.