Moneyfields bid for an FA Cup upset against in-form Cray Wanderers

Moneyfields celebrate their FA Cup first qualifying round penalty shoot-out win at Aylesbury United - they will need to tighten up at the back if they are to spring an upset against Isthmian Premier high-fliers Cray Wanderers. Picture: Michael Snell.

Moneys welcome high-flying 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.

‘It’s the FA Cup, it’s a one-off game.'

Tyler Giddings (knee) is the only absentee for Moneyfields against Cray.