LEWIS Smith says East Thurrock United are heading to Hartlepool United to win when they face off in the FA Cup tomorrow.

Smith has played a crucial role in the club’s cup run, scoring in each round of this year’s competition to take his tally to six goals in five matches.

And the tricky forward, 25, says Rocks are not travelling the distance to make up the numbers.

“It will be a great day for everyone at the club,” said Smith. “But we honestly believe we can get a win up there. This is the FA Cup and it is just 90 minutes of football between 22 players.

“We know Hartlepool have struggled in the league this season, but they are still a Football League side with experienced players. They have Marlon Harewood in their side and, as a West Ham United fan, I know about him obviously. I’m glad I won’t be marking him though!”

Smith, who has only scored three goals outside the FA Cup so far this term, says he is proud at reaching the First Round and is aiming to put on a good show.

“It is great for me personally as well,” he added. “I have never played in this round before and have always wanted to, so I am looking forward to that.

“I have been scoring in the cup but I can’t hit a barn door in the league,” laughed the striker. “But it is about the team and we know we have reached this round on merit. We have played well in all the games and we need to show that again on Saturday.”

Smith adds East Thurrock are not getting caught up in the hype of the occasion, emphasising that Rocks only want to focus on what they have to do.

“Harlepool will be expected to win but if we perform to the best of our ability we can progress.There have been bigger shocks in the FA Cup than East Thurrock beating Hartlepool.”

 

OPPOSITION FOCUS

HARTLEPOOL prop up the Football League at the moment, after a difficult start to the season saw them pick up only 12 points from 16 matches.

Manager Colin Cooper stepped down last month, with ex-player Paul Murray stepping in.
And Murray says the clash has the makings to be a “classic”.

“It is a classic FA Cup tie,” he said. “East Thurrock will be looking at it and thinking ‘they are bottom of the Football League, we’ll get into the second round’.

“But we’ll be ready, we’ll be up for it and we’ll be very diligent over them.”

Charlie Wyke is Pools’ top scorer with four goals, and they also boast former West Ham United forward Marlon Harewood, although he has only netted once this term.

East Thurrock United have sent chief scout Neil Gray to see Pools in recent weeks, watching their 2-2 draw with Newport County last weekend.

The hosts have won only once in their last 11 matches, with their last home win coming all the way back in September.