Ashford United hit the FA Cup trail this weekend with boss Tommy Warrilow wary of an upset.

The Nuts & Bolts are heading across Kent to face Beckenham Town of the Southern Counties East League Premier Division.

League rivals three years ago, Ashford now start the preliminary round tie as favourites but it won’t be easy.

Beckenham finished in the top five in each of the last two seasons and have started the new campaign strongly.

Warrilow (pictured) said: “We’re on a hiding to nothing. If we beat them, we’re supposed to, so they’ve got a free hit in that respect.

“There’s not a lot between us, to be honest. It’s one league and some of the teams at that level are just as good as the teams at our level.

“I’ve never looked into that and I’ve always said, to any teams I’ve managed, it doesn’t matter whether you’re playing Man United or Torquay United, you should do the same, week in, week out and set your standards. We’ll be treating Beckenham as if we’re playing a team at the top (of our league).”

Ashford have only won six FA Cup ties in the last seven years and haven’t gone beyond the first qualifying round since re-forming in 2011.

Warrilow said: “We want to stay in it as long as we can. I’ve got lots of mates over there, people I’ve known for a long time from the old Fisher and Millwall days days and I know the players they’ve got, like Ashley Carew.

“It’s a tough fixture but the one thing they have got is a beautiful pitch so hopefully that will help us.”

Win on Saturday and Ashford will bank £2,890 in prize money.

Warrilow said: “The budget was cut this year, which is fair enough. It’s not a massive issue but like any club, no-one’s going to turn down the chance to earn some money.

“The FA Cup money has got bigger pretty quickly this year so it’d be nice to go as far as we can, draw some nice teams and benefit the club financially to help us off the pitch.”

Ashford kicked off the Isthmian South East season with a 2-1 win at Phoenix on Saturday and spirits are high in the camp.

“Everyone should be fit so they’re training for their shirts,” said Warrilow.

“That’s the message I’ll be giving them on Thursday because last week it was very fine margins about who started.

“This week, I’ll be looking to see who’s training well and that could make all the difference.”

Ashford visit Three Bridges for a league fixture on Bank Holiday Monday.

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