Rocks target another fairytale FA Trophy run

Bognor boss Jamie Howell looked ahead to Saturday's return to FA Trophy action and said: 'Let's go on another memorable run.'
Bognor boss Jamie Howell. Picture: Tim HaleBognor boss Jamie Howell. Picture: Tim Hale
Bognor boss Jamie Howell. Picture: Tim Hale

Rocks shocked many non-league followers by reaching the semi-final of the competition last season.

Defeat over two-legs to now League Two outfit Grimsby Town prevented them from a dream final at Wembley, but nevertheless it was a remarkable achievement reaching the final four.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Bognor return to the tournament for the first time since that semi-final defeat with a first-round qualifying encounter at Southern League Premier Division outfit Slough Town.

Slough currently sit second in the table, suffering just two league defeats all season.

Howell knows the management team at Slough very well and feels his side will have to put in a top performance if they are to progress.

He said: “What we achieved in this competition last season was incredible but it starts from fresh now.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“From last year’s team, a lot of changes have been made and we know it’s going to be tough to emulate what we did last season.

“I don’t know too much about Slough as a team but I do know a lot about the management at the club.

“They are all really nice guys and I always keep an eye out for them as I know a few people at Slough.

“Slough are flying at present, so we know how tough it is going to be.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rocks are currently suffering an injury crisis with three definitely out for Saturday’s trip.

Gary Charman, who suffered a broken foot in the defeat at Lowestoft on Saturday, is likely to be out for two to three months. Along with defenders, both Alex Parsons (hamstring) and Dan Beck (hip flexor) missing the FA Trophy tie.

And Bognor’s current injury list is something that is frustrating Howell at present.

He added: “When it rains it pours and we have so many injuries at the minute. At Lowestoft on Saturday we were missing five or six, which was really frustrating.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I’m trying to get a team out but our injury list at the moment is quite large and it has been tough.

“We’ll be without Gary, Dan and Alex, while Jimmy Wild, Jimmy Muitt, Calvin Davies and James Fraser will all be trying to get back for the game against Slough.”

With Charman expecting an extended stay on the sidelines with a broken foot, Howell knows just how big of a miss he will be.

He said: “Gary and Sami El-Abd have built quite a formidable partnership at the back. I’m quite fortunate as I’ve got Chad Field to come in, but that does not take away how much of a miss Gary will be.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As well as those injuries, Howell is still uncertain as to whether goalkeeper Dan Lincoln will be available for Saturday’s game.

After receiving a call from the stopper on Tuesday, Howell allowed him to play for Braintree Town in their National League victory at Woking.

With Lincoln not under contract, there was nothing stopping him from playing in the game but Howell is unaware on his availability for Rocks from now on.

He said: “I received a call from Dan asking if I would allow him to play for Braintree as they have a slight goalkeeper crisis at the minute.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He’s not under contract with us, so I said that was fine and he played for them at Woking on Tuesday.

“I’m not sure where that leaves us now with regards to his availability moving forward. Myself and Dan will have a chat at some point before Saturday’s game and then I will be better placed.

“Dan has been brilliant for us and could easily play at a higher level, so I would not stand in his way.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.