St Albans City boss Graham Golds targets beating last year's FA Cup runby Simon Mail
St Albans City joint manager Graham Golds has targeted surpassing last season’s FA Cup run after the club were handed a home tie against Concord Rangers in the fourth qualifying round.
The Saints, who beat Brackley Town 2-0 on Saturday, will face their fellow Conference South side after Concord’s 3-2 victory over Winchester City in the third qualifying round. The tie is scheduled to be played on Saturday, October 25.
St Albans reached the first round proper last season when they were beaten by Mansfield Town but the club have set their sights on going even further this year.
Gray said: “We got to the first round of the competition last season and we would like to go one step further if possible this time. We were looking for a winnable draw and that’s what we’ve got.
“Concord are in a similar position to us in the league but it is there for the taking even though it won’t be easy. Obviously having a home tie is an advantage to us and we have to make the most of it. We need the supporters to get behind us and help make the difference on the day.”
He added: “It will be the third FA Cup tie this season where we have played against a team at the same level as us so it could have been easier but it could have also been worse for us.”
St Albans got off to an ideal start against Brackley on Saturday with a fourth-minute opener from Steve Wales which set the tone for the match at Clarence Park.
Golds said: “We knew that Brackley would be a difficult side to play against, especially if they got the first goal. We got off to a great start which is exactly what we needed. It couldn’t have worked out better for us with the early goal which meant that they had to come out and open up.
“They had spells in the game when they threatened and Joe Welch had to make some important saves for us. But it was pleasing that the whole team stood up to the task and we held firm despite everything that they threw at us.”
The Saints return to action in the Conference South this weekend with a trip to second-from-bottom Weston-super-Mare but the manager is refusing to under-estimate their opponents.
Golds said: “It is a league where we know that anyone can beat anyone. If we go there and think that we will automatically win then we will come unstuck.
“But if we have the same mentality we’ve shown recently like at Boreham Wood then I would back our players’ ability to come through for us. It doesn’t matter who you are up against because we have to go in with the right mentality and attitude every week.”
The Harpenden Construction Limited September player of the month award went to Lee Chappell.
He was presented with his award prior to Saturday's FA Cup game against Brackley, by long standing Saints supporter, John Sylvester, on behalf of the Saints City Trust.
www.stalbansreview.co.uk/sport/11533938.Saints_target_beating_last_year_s_run_to_first_round_of_FA_Cup/?ref=rss
