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Lydd Town joint-manager James Rogers says his side are good enough to upset Isthmian Premier Kingstonian in FA Cup First Qualifying Round

Joint-boss James Rogers sees no reason why Lydd Town can’t cause an FA Cup upset at Kingstonian.

The Lydders beat Deal 4-2 on Monday to set up a First Qualifying Round tie against the K’s this weekend.

Lydd Town joint-manager James Rogers. Picture: Steve Terrell
Lydd Town joint-manager James Rogers. Picture: Steve Terrell

The Isthmian Premier club, who made the Second Round Proper as recently as 2019, are big favourites to progress against a side who play two levels below them in Southern Counties East.

But Lydd, playing in the FA Cup this season for the first time in their history, travel to Sunday’s game (3pm) with no fear.

The tie will be played at Imperial Fields, home of Tooting & Mitcham, where Kingstonian groundshare.

“It’s going to be one of the biggest games Lydd have ever been involved in,” said Rogers, who’ll be back in the dugout after aggravating an ankle injury against Deal.

“They had the play-off final last season but this is the first time they’ve been in the FA Cup and to get to the First Qualifying Round is a big achievement.

“I can’t see any reason why we can’t go to Kingstonian and get a result.

“They’re an Isthmian Prem team but a lot of our boys have played at that level.

“It’s obviously going to be a tough game, and we’ll have to stay focused for 90 minutes, but we’re definitely capable of causing an upset.”

Lydd effectively had to beat Deal twice to reach this stage.

They were 2-0 up with five minutes remaining in the original Preliminary Round tie when an injury to Hoops keeper Henry Newcombe saw the match abandoned

The FA, much to Lydd’s frustration, ruled the tie must be played again, with Rogers branding the decision an “absolute shambles”.

However, they got the job done, with Troy Howard’s double and a Kenny Pogue strike opening up a 3-0 half-time lead.

Stephen Okoh moved Lydd out of sight before two late Deal goals.

“We dominated the game, to be fair,” said Rogers.

“Certain things had been said on social media after what happened last week and I just told the boys not to get involved and to stay professional and do the job we’re there to do.

“It was just another game for us.

“We went with three up and played to our strengths and, to be honest, we could have had a lot more goals.

“We switched off in the last 20 minutes and let them back into it, which I wasn’t too happy about.

“We dropped too deep and got sloppy in our play and our shape and I got a bit annoyed at the end of the game.

“I was pleased with the result but we took our foot off the gas.

“I said in the changing room if we want to compete at the top of the SCEFL we need to cut out mistakes and concentrate for 90 minutes. You can’t afford to switch off.”

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