Hawks goalkeeper Ross Worner believes the FA Cup First Round is always an occasion to relish as a Non-League player. 

Worner was between the sticks during Sutton’s legendary run four years ago, and wants to replicate some cup memories at PO9. 

However, he is wary of the threat that Cray Valley will provide with the TV cameras rolling in.

He said: “The first round being on TV through the BBC iPlayer is great. It’s good for the younger players to be seen, and with no crowds allowed in at the minute it will mean that more people will be tuning in. 

“We’ve worked hard in training this week, prepared right and I feel we are in the best place to play the game.”

With upsets bound to happen across the country, Worner believes treating Cray like any other opposition will reduce the risk of complacency. 

“You have to be careful because it is the FA Cup and anything can happen, but we go in with the mindset that we want to win and at the end of the day, if I can keep a clean sheet and someone puts the ball into the back of the net then we will progress to the next round.”

And the Hawks keeper had a message on the absence of fans from the fixture.

“It’s obviously disappointing because when I was at Sutton and had that run it was all about the fans and it is a shame we can’t have fans here supporting the Hawks because the further you go through the more the place gets packed out. 

“Our fans make a lot of noise for 1,300/1,400 as well as their away presence. They are missed and we are looking forward to when they can come back in.”