Canvey Island will make changes tonight as they bid to put their sad FA Cup demise behind them as quickly as possible.

Gulls bowed out of the top domestic knockout competition in the world in rather tame fashion on Saturday with a 3-2 defeat at Slough Town in the final qualifying round.

Now they must attempt to rekindle their bid for the Ryman League Premier title -- which has always been their number one aim this term -- with a visit to Bedford Town.

Central defender Steve Ward is likely to return after missing Saturday's disaster with a stomach bug, while Micky Bennett, Kevin Dobinson and Bertie Brayley, none of whom were in Saturday's starting XI, are all in with a good chance of a call-up.

Only injured players are Steve Parmenter, now nearing full fitness after a broken ankle, and Spencer Knight, while a virus will continue to sideline Ben Chenery.

Manager Jeff King said: "Saturday's defeat, and the manner of it, proved to me that some players are just not up to the job or don't want success with us badly enough.

"I said straight after the game that some players would be going and, 48 hours after the event, nothing has changed my mind on that score.

King added: "I know just how badly Saturday's Cup setback hit everyone at the club, officials and fans, but no-one could have felt worse than I did."

For more on Ryman Premier League sides see our Ryman Premier League section

Published Tuesday October 29, 2002

Brought to you by the Evening Echo