Birthday boy Poate targets Trophy celebration for Moneyfields

Brett Poate is backing Moneyfields to get a result against Evesham United in the FA Trophy so he can celebrate his birthday in style.
Brett Poate Picture: Neil MarshallBrett Poate Picture: Neil Marshall
Brett Poate Picture: Neil Marshall

The Dover Road side start their campaign in the competition with an awkward extra-preliminary round tie at their fellow Southern League division one south rivals.

Evasham sit top of the table, though, meaning Moneys will need to replicate the heroics they showed in the FA Cup against Hayes & Yeading last weekend.

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That saw them pick up a 1-0 victory on the road to set up a tie against Worthing in the next round.

United will prove just as tough a nut to crack.

But experienced defender, who will turn 35 on Sunday, believes they have the nous to cause problems for their hosts.

'It is my 35th birthday on Sunday,' said Poate.

'We wanted to switch the game to the Friday but our opponents weren't keen.

'I don't know how much longer I will be able to carry on playing, which is why I want to give it a good go for the rest of the season.

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'The main aim is to make sure we are still in the competition come Monday.

'We have shown in our away games this season that we are capable of getting results.

'In the league we have already drawn at Cirencester and Yate Town '“ both teams who are at the top.

'We have gone to those places and defended well.

'It was the same when we took on the Hawks in the Hampshire Senior Cup.

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'Then we only lost to a stoppage-time goal to the National League side.

'This will be our fourth tough away game in recent weeks but the lads will be up for it.

'We have shown that we can go away without fear and get results.'

Striker Steve Hutchings is serving the final game of his 10-match ban.

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The visitors will be keen not to allow next week's big FA Cup game against Worthing to distract them.

They have already banked £18,000 from the Cup and it is a great opportunity to add to that.

There is another £2,000 at stake in this Trophy tie.

It is all valuable finance for a local club like Moneyfields, who are looking to develop their Dover Road site.