Needham Market looking to cause FA Cup upset against Dartford this afternoon
Jamie Griffiths, could make an appearance for Needham Market against Dartford in the FA Cup.
Needham Market manager Richard Wilkins has told his players to go and enjoy today’s FA Cup clash with National League South Dartford at Bloomfields.
The Marketmen, boosted by a fine Bostik Premier league win at Harlow in midweek, entertain a Dartford side who sit fifth in the South table – having lost to East Thurrock last week.
It’s a tall order for the Suffolk side, but one Wilkins is looking forward to.
“We had a really good win at Harlow on a 3G pitch that was very poor in my opinion,” Wilkins said.
“But we have got nothing to lose on Saturday.
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“Dartford are the favourites, they play in a league above ourselves.
“But I know my players and if we can settle down for the first 15 minutes and then see what happens. There is going to be upsets in the FA Cup, there always is, there is no reason we shouldn’t be able to upset Dartford.”
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Needham are buoyed by the return to the squad of Jamie Griffiths.
The former Ipswich Town player has been injured since joined Needham from Long Melford in the summer.
But he was on the bench at Harlow, although on a 3G pitch Wilkins had no intentions of using him.
“It is great to have Jamie back and I expect him to get half-an-hour or so against Dartford,” Wilkins said.
“We are hoping for a good crowd and it’s a great opportunity for our players.”
Meanwhile, Leiston are on their travels again in the FA Cup.
Today they are at Oxford City, another team in National League South, where they sit in fourth place.
AFC Sudbury began the long trip to Truro yesterday morning to take on ‘The White Tigers’ in the FA Cup.
Caretaker boss Danny Laws is looking to make it six straight wins for for the team since he took over from Jamie Godbold.
Top scorer Adam Mills misses out after his sending off last week. And it will be a big test for the west Suffolk side against a team top of National League South.
AFC will be confident in their own abilities though, having won there on their previous visit in the FA Trophy.
