More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Gillingham will be eyeing up one of English football’s big boys after reaching the third round of the FA Cup.
A dominant performance against Doncaster saw the Gills cruise to a 3-0 win at Priestfield on Sunday.
They will now be hoping to land a plum tie in the next round when they are joined in the draw by the likes of Premier League leaders Liverpool and champions Manchester City.
“Let’s hope that we get a big one,” said assistant boss Paul Raynor.
“It’s in the lap of the gods and we’ll take what we get, but fingers crossed.
"We are in there and we have put in a good performance, which is great.”
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Gills’ management team have experienced the highs of the FA Cup before, with a fifth round game at Manchester United while in charge of former club Crawley.
“It would be amazing to go there again,” Raynor said.
“It was an amazing experience and to get any of the big boys, here at home or away, it would be great for the guys.
“It is an experience I will never forget and it would be fantastic to do the same for Gillingham.
“We would take Manchester United again, absolutely!”
The Gills won’t be facing any other team in Kent after non-league sides Dover and Maidstone both lost to League 1 opposition.
Andy Hessenthaler’s Dover lost 3-0 at Peterborough while the Stones let slip a half-time advantage to lose 3-1 at Blackpool.
Gillingham’s good run at home continued, the FA Cup win making it four victories from their last four games at Priestfield in all competitions.
Raynor said: “We remember sitting at the fans’ forum in pre-season and talking about making Priestfield a fortress. We visited many times as opposition and it was a horrible place to come. We always knew we were in a battle.
“The intensity of the crowd made it hostile and I think people are now seeing that. It is becoming a Steve Evans and Paul Raynor team now, they can see how we want to play.
“The penny is dropping with the boys. They are getting the rewards for what we are trying to do and it’s great to see.
"You can see the fans are behind us, they can see signs we’re going well.
“We will enjoy (Sunday’s win) and then think about Sunderland at home next week, which is a great game to play.
"Sunderland went out in the FA Cup at Priestfield and will be smarting, looking for a bit of revenge, so it will be game on again.”
Gills are ball number 56 in the FA Cup third round draw. Visit www.kentonline.co.uk for full details on Monday evening.
