Havant & Waterlooville v Gravesend & Northfleet

MANAGER Liam Daish says his Gravesend & Northfleet players must treat Saturday’s FA Trophy first round match against Havant & Waterlooville like a cup final.

Fleet have suffered disappointing results in cup competitions in recent years and crashed out of this year’s FA Cup after a poor display in their 1-0 loss to Chelmsford City in the fourth qualifying round.

Daish first moved into football management with the Conference South side in 2000 as joint manager alongside Mick Jenkins.

The FA Trophy is a competition which is close to the former Republic of Ireland defender’s heart as he helped lead the Hawks to a semi-final in 2002-03.

Daish said: "They are third in the league and it’s going to be a tough game. It will be a real challenge and I’m looking for players who enjoy the challenge.

"We’ve got to get back to winning ways. We’ve had two good results and then two very poor results."

* Welling United are also in FA Trophy action on Saturday when they host Conference South basement side Basingstoke Town.

* Keep up to date with all the news from Stonebridge Road every week in the Gravesend Messenger.