I was 17 when I made my debut in the FA Cup – against the Gills.

Since then I have played against some big teams, like Manchester City and Everton, which has been a great experience.

You get a different feeling in an FA Cup game, especially on a Saturday. The time of year plays a part as well and you get that bit of a buzz, especially when there is a big crowd.

There is a chance to play some of those big teams in the latter rounds but we have a tough match against Brackley this weekend.

In games like these the teams come with nothing to lose. It’s their cup final and they seem to find that extra five or 10%.

But at the same time you have to be confident and buoyant in yourself, that you are the bigger side and they have to fear you as well, because if you play to your potential, you should more times than not come out on top.

That first FA Cup game against the Gills was while I was playing for Barnet, quite a long time ago. We won 2-1 but I was only reminded about it for this column.

It’s funny that my first FA Cup game was against Gillingham.

Last season I was suspended but watched the defeat to Stevenage. It wasn’t a great day.

They were better than us and it was one we can learn from. It was a shame not to have a run and play in it last year but I am looking forward to it this year.

We want to go as far as we can. It’s a great competition.

I watched a lot of FA Cup games as a kid. I went to the Arsenal final against Manchester United.

Growing up supporting West Ham, when Steven Gerrard equalised for Liverpool in the last minute in 2006, watching that I was devastated and one of my favourite-ever players did it.

Read the full column in Friday's Medway Messenger