Falmouth Town are gearing up for another cup game this weekend. In what is shaping up to be an exciting tie, Falmouth Town host Bradford Town of the Hellenic League in The FA Vase First Proper at Bickland Park on Saturday.
Bradford who play in a step higher than Falmouth have won their last three games, most recently in mid week a 2-3 away win to lowly Calne Town. They are sixth in their league with a record of P12, W9, D1, L3. Plus they have games in hand on their surrounding opponents.
Previewing the fixture Falmouth Town Manager Andrew Westgarth said: “There is always something special about the FA Vase and being at Bickland Park. I guarantee we will get the support, and the atmosphere will be fantastic. I don’t think they can be taken too lightly, it will be a big test for us.
"Just because we are doing well in our league, we still have to give them respect, they are a league above us. They are a completely different side, it should be a great test for us.
"If we want to be in the Western League next season these are the sort of teams you have to be playing against .You wouldn’t call Sidmouth away as a massive challenge as we knew they were bottom of the league we weren’t kidding ourselves.
"Bradford will be a really big test and I am sure they’ve done their homework, they will know a lot about us so it will be a really good game.”
If ever there was a time for Falmouth to play a side in a league above it is now. Town have won every game they have played this season. An outstanding record that sees them comfortably top of the South West Peninsula League, into Round Three of the Walter C Parson Cup and into Round Two of the Cornwall Senior Cup.
In their last match Town progressed to the next round of the Walter C Parson Cup when they defeated Sidmouth 2-5 on Saturday October 16
First half goals from James Ward, Luke Barner, Luke Brabyn and Jack Bray-Evans had Town comfortably in the lead. Jack Bowyer added to the goal tally after the break with Sidmouth scoring two consolation goals through Jake Boyland.
Westgarth was satisfied with the performance and getting through to the next round of the cup: “Cup games are all about getting through. We took 200 up there, from Sidmouth’s point of view they must have done well on the bar takings and the gate! Sunny day, we put in a half decent performance, we started the game pretty solid 4-0 up. It is always tough to keep those standards up no disrespect to Sidmouth.
“We can be critical in the way we conceded the goals and finished the game but for a day out, performance and a good social after it was a great weekend.”
Falmouth’s fan base the F Troop followed in their numbers on the 226 mile round trip away day and Westgarth thanked them for their loyal support: “They were a credit to the club, we always say how good they are. I would probably put it up there as one of the best away trips we have had. We have been to a few around Cornwall and some finals which were obviously special but for the cup game.
"If you think we have played two rounds of this cup. The Penryn game was unbelievable getting 400 odd. Then Round Two Sidmouth away taking 200 people, not just that but bringing the noise of around 500 people it was brilliant. They are a credit to the club, credit to the league. We are so lucky to have them.” He added.
October is a month for the domestic competition for Town who play in three different cups rather than the league.
Once they return to league action in November, they face the rest of the top four in their returning four games in what Westgarth believes will be a defining part of their season: "It is a huge month, we set ourselves little targets, the three cup games are definitely games we look at that can definitely shape our season.
"Three completely different sides in Sidmouth, Bradford and Bodmin, three completely different challenges. Then back to your bread and butter with the league. Those games are going to be a challenge as well because obviously the pitches are getting softer and the conditions are more challenging now.
"The league table will change as we go on, Wendron on a Friday night should be a good one, if we can get through those games unscathed it gives a completely different outlook on the league. It is a huge time for us and hopefully we can come through it.
The break from the league for Town allows their rivals an opportunity to catch up on the leaders. Despite not playing since September 29 Falmouth are still seven points clear at the top, and have games in hand over some of the sides around them.
Westgarth said the burden was on their surrounding teams to take advantage of Falmouth's league break:"It (Falmouth's league break)puts the pressure on them, I think that was evident with Callington drawing to Liskeard. If you look at the statistics and the league table Callington are second bottom and they've taken a point off Liskeard. It is a completely different ball game being top of the league compared to chasing. It puts the pressure on the other team because they can't afford any slip ups.
"It puts us in the driving seat in terms of games played without a shadow of a doubt. We don't play our next game until the beginning of November so other teams have the chance to put it on us. I'd rather be in our position without a shadow of a doubt."
Kick off at Bickland Park is at 3pm on Saturday October 23, should the game be level after 90 minutes it will go straight to a penalty shootout.
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