Post by Stewart on Nov 1, 2013 17:15:15 GMT
Sutton United's Dundas is loving the FA Cup, even though he has seen it all before
Craig Dundas is revelling in the magic of the FA Cup after Sutton United reached the first round proper for the fourth time in six seasons.
The midfielder bagged the decisive second goal in Tuesday night’s 2-0 replay win over Hemel Hempstead Town at Gander Green Lane to set up a tough trip to Skrill Premier side Kidderminster Harriers next Saturday.
Dundas featured in the United side that reached the first round in 2008 and the second round in 2011, cup runs that would be ended on both occasions by Notts County.
However, despite this experience, the 32-year-old is once again wrapped up in the excitement of the competition.
“There is a magic to the cup, it is undeniable,” he said.
“Yes, I have been here before, but you always want to put yourself up against the best teams in the land.
“This year we want to push on and hopefully get into the second round, or even the third round, and then you could get one of the big boys.
“There’s the added bonus that a cup run brings in a lot of money for the club, which is key.”
Dundas, who has made 273 appearances in the yellow shirt, put the icing on the cake on Tuesday night after Ali Fuseini had opened the scoring early on.
Hemel, leaders of the Southern Premier, had proved tough opposition in Saturday’s original tie where a 3-3 draw forced the replay.
“It was a difficult and typical cup game – they have been doing well and we knew they would come at us, as they did on Saturday,” Dundas said.
“We knew that when we got chances, we would just have to finish them.
“When you get that 2-0 lead you can relax a bit more, when it’s just one goal, you know a set piece or a slice of luck and they’re level again. At 2-0, you expect you hold on and win.”
Boss Paul Doswell cut a delighted figure at full-time, knowing the win had banked another £12,500 for United, bringing their FA Cup prize money haul so far to £24,500.
United, the underdogs in the next round, would pocket a further £18,000 if they were to beat Kidderminster.
Doswell said: “My nerves are shattered, but that is job done. We challenged the lads to get us into the first round, and they’ve done it. It is a big achievement and has brought a lot of money to the club.
“I’m not putting myself under any more pressure in this competition. Now we can go to Kidderminster and relax, play with more freedom and give it a go.”