PREVIEW – UP FOR THE CUP: Captain Connor Ready For Dover Return

STONES’ Team Captain Connor McAvoy is ready to head back to Dover Athletic on Saturday (November 7, 3pm ko) – this time for a massive Emirates FA Cup 1st Round tie, five years after featuring in a 3-2 National League win as an on-loan 19-year-old.

A fresh-faced teenage Fulham defender when Stuart Maynard’s Wealdstone won on a chill Autumn evening at Crabble in 2021, McAvoy is now skippering the team and looking forward to a massively important occasion for both clubs this weekend.

“We did well in cup competitions last season and we want to again,” the 24-year-old told wealdstonefc.com.

“Although we’ve just missed out in the National League Cup, beating Worthing 3-0 in the last round means we should travel with confidence on Saturday but we know it’s going to be a tough game at Dover; they’re going pretty well in the division below.”

He added: “The nature of these win-or-lose matchdays means there’s a bit of extra edge on it. And it’s the FA Cup – everyone wants to be in it!

“Even when we’ve not got a game and I’m watching a match where you know there’s got to be an outcome, it makes you feel differently about it.

“I’m sure our fans are treating it really differently to the league games, and we’ve got to make sure we’re in the hat for the Second Round for them and, of course, because it’s so important for the club as well.”

Whichever team emerges triumphant on Saturday – at the end of a tie which could go to extra-time and penalties if needed – will make it into the hat for Monday’s Round Two draw.

“If we win there’s an even better chance of getting a big EFL team in the next round,” enthused Wealdstone’s captain.

“You want to test yourself as much as you can during your career, but we’ve got to earn the right to be in the draw first.”

Pay On The Day Only At Dover

Supporters heading for Crabble on Saturday should note no advance ticket sales are available for the cup tie.

Click HERE for ticket prices and other match details, with card payments at turnstiles the method of entry this weekend.

DO YOU REMEMBER…

…Wealdstone’s victory by the odd goal in five back in November 2021? Goalkeeper George Wickens – on loan from Fulham alongside McAvoy at the time – preserved all three points for Maynard’s side with two great stops right at the death.

Full-back Jayden Sweeney’s double either side of a goal for striker Josh Umerah saw the Royals leave Kent with the spoils, but it wasn’t just that game which left a lasting impression on the Scotland Under-21 international.

In this image of a particularly youthful McAvoy below, you’ll also notice the two other players who featured that night and are still at The Vale: Jack Cook and Jaydn Mundle-Smith.

Click HERE to read a full match report at the independently-maintained history website.

“Looking back, it was probably the best environment I could’ve come into as a young professional for a first loan move,” explained McAvoy.

“Stu and Matty [Saunders] were great with me. They passed on so much of their knowledge and enthusiasm for learning more about the game.

“The biggest thing I remember about that first time here was they treated me like an adult and that helped me settle down quickly and get into a flow of games.”

The Scot said young players get little notice of impending loan moves – once the two clubs and a player’s agent have put the deal in place.

“You could get a phone call one day from your club, speak to the manager where you’re going to join and then be there with your boots in hand the next day.

“That’s a normal experience, where you’ve just got to get on with it.

“I know having to deal with things myself helped me get ready for the tough and physical nature of the National League.”