Maidstone United Women hoping for record crowd at the Gallagher Stadium as they face higher-league Badshot Lea for a place in the FA Cup first round

Maidstone United Women are hoping for a record crowd as they bid to make history by reaching the FA Cup first round.

The Stones take on higher-league Badshot Lea in the final qualifying round at the Gallagher Stadium on Sunday (kick-off 2pm).

Their opponents play two levels above them but Maidstone go into the tie in great form, boasting a 100 per cent record this season and confident of an upset.

A big home crowd can play their part and the club have been working hard to spread the word around the town, including writing to local schools to attract new fans.

Admission prices have also been kept low at £3 for adults and £1 for concessions, while there’s free entry for under-16s. Gates open at 1pm.

“Maidstone United as a whole have been so supportive,” said player-manager Tori Campbell.

“It’s the best club I’ve been at where the women are so backed.

“Nine times out of 10 the women get left to their own devices, from my experience, anyway.

“But at Maidstone we’re so included, we’re a huge part of the club and we feel a huge part of the club, and they’ve really driven it this week.

“We’ve had conversations about publicising the game, because we want as many people there as possible cheering us on, so schools were a big target for us.

“I work closely with a lot of schools so for us it’s let’s get the message out there and hopefully we can entice people to come down and watch.

“We’re hoping for about 350, which for us would be massive, and then it’s playing our game and keeping calm.

“Although there’s a big crowd, we have to remember they’re here for us, they’re on our side.

“If we keep calm and make sure we get the basics right, we should be fine.

“I want us to get through this round and I think we’ve got a huge chance to do