City boss is up for the Cup
ST Albans City manager Steve Castle is expecting a tough test as his team start their bid for FA Cup glory against Harlow Town on Saturday. The Saints face the Ryman League Premier Division side at Clarence Park and will be looking to take the opportunity
ST Albans City manager Steve Castle is expecting a tough test as his team start their bid for FA Cup glory against Harlow Town on Saturday.
The Saints face the Ryman League Premier Division side at Clarence Park and will be looking to take the opportunity to make some rare FA Cup progress. Castle said: "With Harlow Town being a league below us, it is a game that on paper we should win convincingly but let's call it the magic of the FA Cup that inspires teams to play better. We will not be taking them lightly. We will give them the respect they deserve.
"I work at Oaklands College with Chris Watters (former City player) who is at Boreham Wood and they played Harlow on Saturday so I have been getting the lowdown from him. They have some good players and everybody is looking for a good cup run. We certainly are and Harlow Town are no different. It is not going to be easy.
"I don't know how tight it will be. The first goal will be a massive blow, one way or the other. If we get it we can relax and start playing and if they get it they will lift their game and become better."
Centre back Ben Martin is excited about being involved in an FA Cup tie and feels the team will be in positive mood after grinding out the victory in Wales last weekend. He said: "I am looking forward to the cup game. It is a nice break from the league. It will be interesting to see what the opposition is like. The FA Cup is enough motivation for anyone to get up for the games and try to get to the next round.
"After the Thurrock game I think people were a bit concerned so it was nice to get a result on Saturday. We had to battle it out a bit. We didn't play so well and have probably played 10 times better in games this season and not got a result."
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Martin has skippered the side with Lee Clarke not starting games and even without the services of Ryan Frater who was injured in pre-season, City have looked strong in defence. Martin said: "Ryan is a massive player for us but in the league we have a good defensive record. I think we have done well as a team and as a defence.
