Stansted FC kick-off their FA Cup campaign on Friday night when they host Hullbridge Sports in the extra preliminary round. The Airportmen can t wait for the clash with their Essex Senior League counterparts in the most famous cup competition in the world

Stansted FC kick-off their FA Cup campaign on Friday night when they host Hullbridge Sports in the extra preliminary round.

The Airportmen can't wait for the clash with their Essex Senior League counterparts in the most famous cup competition in the world.

"No one here has played in the FA Cup before and I haven't managed in it so we are all looking forward to it," said Stansted boss Terry Spillane. "It's exciting, a special competition and at our level, it's the biggest thing going.

"It's a massive game and we are hoping to get a few people through the door to cheer us on.

"It's our cup final, then another in the next round if we can make it. If we play well on Friday I'm hoping the people there watching will enjoy themselves and come back."

With £500 in prize money and a home clash against St Margaretsbury in the next round at stake, the manager knows it won't be easy.

"I expect them to be a young, footballing side and well organised," he said.

"They won't come for a draw and I'm sure it will be a good game and I'm confident we can get a result."

Stansted will have a full squad to choose from with Sam McCarthy and Paul Seymour returning after injures.

Burnham Ramblers 2 Stansted 1

Stansted slipped to a narrow defeat away at Burnham Ramblers on Saturday as their Essex Senior League campaign got off to a disappointing start.

The Airportmen gave a good account of themselves and had it not been for a late winner, would have taken a share of the spoils.

The hosts took the lead after 28 minutes, with Bradley Walsh equalising just after the hour mark.

However, with seven minutes to go and Stansted pushing forward looking for a winner, Matt Hambleton fired in the winning goal.

"They scored from a set piece which annoyed me as I'd warned the players about them, but we just went to sleep," said Stansted boss Spillane. "Other than that the first half was even without much goal mouth action from either side.

"We got caught on the break in the second half which was disappointing, but I was pleased with how we played and it was a good game of football.