Eastbourne Borough manager Bloor takes FA Cup draw in his stride

Eastbourne Borough manager Danny Bloor will take his side to National League Maidenhead United next week – and take it in his stride.

The fourth qualifying round, just 90 minutes from the first round proper and the chance of a big tie with Football League opposition, might have been kinder to the Sports, but Bloor is not unhappy with the prospect of a trip along the M4.

The Magpies currently sit in midtable in the National League. Their season had started sluggishly but two victories this week have boosted them.

Bloor said: “Maidenhead are a good, well-organised side and in terms of status, they will start as favourites.

“We have no problem at all with that, and we will do our preparation as with every opponent.

“We came away from Worthing (in the last round) with a 2-1 scoreline which actually didn’t do justice to our performance – it could well have been three or four.”

The Berkshire side – whose York Road ground is the oldest football ground in the world in unbroken use – are under the charge of one of the game’s most experienced managers, Alan Devonshire.

The ex-West Ham favourite’s previous closest encounter with the Sports was as boss of Hampton & Richmond Borough – whom Garry Wilson’s Sports just pipped for promotion in a 2009 play-off final.

Bloor added: “I’ve known and respected Dev (Devonshire) for very many years – he is a great man and a top manager – the only surprise is that he has never taken up a post at a Football League club.”

But before any thoughts of FA Cup progress, Danny’s side must return to National League South action.

Saturday, they welcome Weymouth to the SO Legal Community Stadium – and after a recent change of manager, Bloor reckons the Terras are a club transformed.

He said: “Until now Weymouth have been rock bottom, but they now have Bobby Wilkinson in charge and he is already turning them round.

“They had a superb cup win last week against Welling United, and Bobby is a manager who always makes an impact. In a context like that, the league table is meaningless.”