More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Hakan Hayrettin is predicting a tight game when Maidstone go to Wimborne in the FA Cup third qualifying round tonight.
The Dorset club play a level below the Stones in Southern League Premier South, where they sit 16th with four points from as many games.
They go into the tie refreshed after a blank weekend and Stones boss Hayrettin believes they are dangerous opponents, particularly at home.
As a ‘non-elite’ club they also have the benefit of a crowd behind them, while away fans must stay away.
United will have to work hard for the £5,625 prize money, with £1,875 for the losers.
Hayrettin said: “We’ve had a look at them, me and Terry Harris (assistant boss). It’s going to be a tight game.
“It’s not going to be easy, it’s a tight ground, they’ll have their supporters in there and we’ll need to be ready for that.”
Maidstone travel in good shape after an unbeaten start to the season and know victory would leave them one win away from a place in the first round proper for the seventh season running.
Hayrettin said: “If someone was going to say that three games in you’re going to win away in the FA Cup at Hendon, win a local derby against Welling and go to one of the favourites in the league in Havant and get a point, and should have won, we’d have taken that.”
The Stones will need to check on the fitness of Justin Amaluzor, who felt something in his leg towards the end of Saturday’s draw at Havant.
Left-back Noah Chesmain and striker Ibby Akanbi are nearing first-team returns after turning out for the under-23s in their 1-1 Suburban League draw with Hartley Wintney on Saturday.
