Lordswood manager Nicky Southall’s love affair with the FA Cup is continuing now he’s manager. His side followed up a season-opening 2-1 win against Corinthian in the Southern Counties East Premier Division with a 1-0 victory over Erith & Belvedere in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup last Saturday.
League success is the goal but Southall has twice been to the FA Cup quarter-finals as a player and will forever be remembered for his stunning goal as Gillingham beat then-Premier League Sheffield Wednesday in the competition in 2000.
A late goal from Jake Embery won Lordswood the game against Erith & Belvedere to set up a tie at home to Shoreham next weekend.
Southall said: “The FA Cup for me was a massive part of me wanting to be a footballer and dreaming of being in the FA Cup. “The FA Cup is always something I look out for and as a kid you wanted to be an FA Cup winner, it wasn’t about winning the league. “I have been lucky enough - or unlucky - to have played in two quarter-finals of the FA Cup and lost them both 5-0! “Shoreham won’t be easy in the next round but we’ll be at home and we’ll fancy our chances to try and get through.” They return to league action this Saturday at home to Fisher before playing away at Bearsted on Tuesday night.