FA Cup: Aveley 'doing it the hard way', says boss Danny Scopes
- Published
Former Concord Rangers boss Danny Scopes has been in charge of Aveley for almost two years
Aveley boss Danny Scopes admits his side are "doing it the hard way" after an amazing finish to their FA Cup final qualifying round tie against Barnet.
The Essex club were 2-1 down against a team from a division higher than them when Charlee Hughes and Garrett Kelly were both sent off.
Despite that, they levelled through Jon Benton and the game ended 2-2.
They will travel to Barnet on Tuesday with a first-round tie away to Curzon Ashton on offer for the winners.
Should Aveley succeed against the odds, it will be their first appearances in the first round proper since 1970-71, when they lost 1-0 to Yeovil Town.
"If we're going to do it, we're doing it the hard way because it will be our third replay," Scopes told BBC Essex.
Entering the competition in the second qualifying round, the Millers drew 0-0 at King's Lynn before winning the replay 4-0, and then won 2-1 at Hornchurch following a 2-2 draw on their own pitch.
"We have to dust ourselves down - it's Tuesday, so we've got a couple of days recovery," said Scopes.
"We did it against King's Lynn, we played again on the Monday and were really good, and at Hornchurch on the Tuesday we played 120 minutes.
"We've got a fit bunch of boys, they look after themselves, and it's a bit of a free hit for us. Staying in the league [National League South] after working so hard to get to step two is always our priority."
Barnet are second in the National League, only three points behind leaders Chesterfield, and will be favourites as they have home advantage for the replay, despite being unable to see off Aveley at the first attempt despite being 2-0 up after only 19 minutes.
"I know everyone I put on that pitch, and those on the bench, will give everything for me and the football club," Scopes added.
"But we know Barnet are a really good team and it's going to a be a really tough challenge to try and get into that first round."