Gillingham defender Jack Tucker would love another crack at a top team in the FA Cup.

The Gills put up a spirited fight against Premier League West Ham in the third round of the 2019/20 season, losing 2-0 after conceding two late goals.

It was a game Tucker enjoyed being involved in and that kind of opportunity means the Gills will be giving their all on Saturday in the first round clash against Cheltenham Town.

Tucker said: “I was here a few years ago when we played West Ham on the television, it was a great experience and I speak for most of the boys when I say I would like that experience again.

“It is a game we all look forward to and the prizes that can come with it, playing the likes of West Ham, like we did a couple of years ago, that is a great experience to be a part of.

“We have to take care of Cheltenham first though and if we do win that then the next round. We are all dreaming of going as far as we can, winning some football matches and seeing how far it takes us.

“Cheltenham have started reasonably well in League 1 after just being promoted and it will be tough, we won’t take them for granted, we will work on the game plan and hope to implement it and get us the win and into the hat for the next round.”

Gillingham are three unbeaten in the league although the last two results have left them disappointed. Bolton grabbed a 2-2 draw with a late goal a fortnight ago and on Saturday their failed to take their chances against Accrington in a match that finished goalless.

The Gills were also guilty of missing opportunities against Bolton but Tucker is pleased to see them putting better performances in.

He said: “We were happy with the clean sheet (on Saturday) because we haven’t had many of those this season but when we play as well as that we expect to win the game so it is disappointing on that front. It just didn’t drop for us.

“We haven’t won as many as we would have liked but for the majority of the Bolton game and against Sunderland and Doncaster we have put in good performances so that is getting better.

“The performances are definitely a lot better than they were at the start of the season, we were having 45 minute spells and then there would be a bad 45 to go along with it.

“We have been learning about each other as players and individuals, we know what to expect and performances are definitely coming together, like they have done in the last couple of years, we have got stronger as we have gone on and hopefully that will be the case this year.”

Commenting on his new defensive midfield position that he has been playing in recent weeks, Tucker said: “I am getting used to it more and more and as long as I play I am happy. If the Gaffer wants me there that is not a problem for me.

“There is a bit more running, having to get up and down the pitch a bit more and there are different types of problems to face but I am relishing it at the moment and I am enjoying the challenge. I will give 100% whatever position I play.”

Adult tickets for Saturday’s match are just £10. Seniors and under-18s pay £5 and under-12s are free of charge with a full paying adult. The two clubs have agreed to a 2pm kick off at Priestfield.

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