BRANTHAM Athletic joint-boss Matt Carmichael believes “ability, nous, preparation and a bit of luck” will be key factors in his side’s FA Cup showdown against Eastbourne Borough.

The sides are set to meet in an intriguing second qualifying round tie at the Leisure Centre on Saturday afternoon (3pm).

National League South side Eastbourne will start as firm favourites as they play at step two of the non-league pyramid – three rungs higher than the Imps.

However, Carmichael believes his players can compete on the same footing – and says they are ready to take advantage of chinks in the visitors’ armour.

“We know how hard it’s going to be but want to do ourselves justice and believe we’ve got the ability to get something from the game,” said the former Harwich and Parkeston boss, who runs the side with Michael Brothers.

“I’m confident we can be competitive and if that’s the case, there’s no reason why we can’t cause an upset.

“Eastbourne play at step two for a reason, because they’ve got quality, experienced players.

“But if they turn up with chinks in their armour, we have to be ready to exploit them.

“We’re looking forward to embracing that challenge – as players, management and as a club.

“It’s a big occasion for everyone and we have talented players of our own who can play at a higher level.

“It’s not like we’re a young, wet-behind-the-ears side.

“Not only that, we play in a strong step five league.

“The Thurlow Nunn League premier division isn’t a walk in the park and I don’t think there’s much difference between our level and two above, so the gulf between the sides isn’t as big as it looks on paper.

“If our players step up, the void between the clubs will shrink.”

Brantham had been unbeaten in 19 competitive matches prior to last weekend’s 4-3 defeat at home to Takeley, in the second qualifying round of the FA Vase.

However, they have already eliminated Wivenhoe Town, Welwyn Garden City and Spalding United from the FA Cup and will be desperate to claim another scalp on Saturday.

“We’ve done as much homework as we can, from watching videos, compiling data and player profiles and speaking to people like (Chelmsford City head of recruitment and scouting) Steve Pitt (whose Clarets side also play in the National League South).

“It would be naïve to turn up without doing any preparation and if that attention to detail gives us an extra two or three per cent, it could make all the difference.

“We need every one of our players to be right on it and buy into what we’re trying to do.

“But it won’t just boil down to ability on the day.

“It’ll also be about nous, preparation and a bit of luck.”

The famous FA Cup trophy will be on display in the clubhouse at Brantham Leisure Centre from 9.30am to 8pm on Saturday and the prize money for the winning side is an eye-watering £9,000.

Brantham, who have never got to this stage of the competition in their history, have already pocketed £11,140 from their FA Cup adventure.