Wick FC Manager Lee Baldwin is expecting a tough game this weekend as his side head to Isthmian South East side Merstham.
The Dragons are back in the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday afternoon after a seven year absence and Baldwin is hoping his side can build upon their return of four points from two matches so far.
‘It’s a bit of a tough one because they’ve not played any competitive football yet, I would expect to be fit, fresh and raring to go though. If we approach it that it’s their first game and won’t be at the races then I think we’ll be in for a bit of a shock.’
Wick picked up a point on Saturday at fellow promoted side Roffey and then came from behind to beat Midhurst 2-1 on Tuesday with two goals from Josh Irish giving the side a good level of confidence to take to Surrey.
‘We said before the weekend the biggest thing is to get that first win early because if you go five or six games without one the pressure increases each time so those three points were massive for us to pick up.’
The Dragons boss picked out a few differences from their league games so far.
‘Two very different games, bit nervy Saturday from both sides in all honesty whereas Tuesday looked like a match up between a side that had already won and one that hadn’t to begin with.’
‘What stood out more at Midhurst was we worked so hard everywhere across the pitch. It’s nice as well to see the players step up and believe they can play at this level, we were the better side for 60 minutes of that game.’
Baldwin also noted that despite one or two results going against the grain, it’s too early to read much into those scorelines.
‘There’s been a couple that did surprise me but it’s such an early start where clubs have players missing, those that play cricket or teachers away on their holidays. By about week five or six we should see a pattern emerging.’
‘But one or two who picked up a win on Saturday didn’t on Tuesday night, just very difficult at this level until it settles down into a rhythm to class too much really as a surprise result.’