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Builder Carl plots demolition job
LIKE everyone else in the trade, self-employed builder Carl Chenery is feeling the pinch in the current economic climate.
But while finding work is pretty hard in the day job, Chenery's also had his hands full as a part-time soccer boss cementing a place for Leiston Town in the first round of the FA Cup, when Fleetwood Town are the visitors this Saturday.
Chenery and his workforce laid the foundations for the biggest day in the club's history by coming through SEVEN qualifying games – but the manager isn't shouting it from the rooftops that little Leiston will go any further.
Improving Fleetwood play in the Blue Square North four levels up from the Ridgeons Eastern Counties League premier division, where Leiston are rattling along, and Chenery is braced for a harder challenge than even Blue Square Premier Lewes provided over 180 minutes in the last round.
Briefed by his number two, who watched Fleetwood beat Hinckley United 1-0 at Highbury last Saturday, 34-year-old Chenery said: "We believe this will be our toughest test yet.
"Fleetwood are well organised and well drilled and have a little more about them than previous opponents in terms of the physical side.
"Lewes, even though they're bottom of their league, were good but we expected a lot more physically and we think we'll get that on Saturday.
If we can match it, then we have a chance.
"Fleetwood will start as favourites. We'll have to make sure we turn up on the day and don't give them too much time and space."
Player-manager last season, Chenery is two weeks away from celebrating the first anniversary of his stewardship since succeeding axed former Ipswich and Spurs star Jason Dozzell.
Shrewd summer signings left him no option but to drop himself and he's only ever likely to turn out again as a last resort.
Best-known of his players is Tes Bramble, who, like younger brother and current Wigan defender Titus, started at neighbouring Ipswich Town.
Formerly with Southend and Stockport, striker Bramble played in the Blue Square Premier for Stevenage last season but he's touch-and-go for Saturday in an injury-dogged season.
Six-goal Bramble, 28, turned his ankle early in the 1-1 home draw with Lewes and missed the 3-1 win in the replay. He hasn't trained this week.
"Tes is pushing it to be fit for Saturday," said Chenery.
"Everyone wants to play in a game like this but we must make sure guys are 100 per cent – we can't afford to carry anybody."
The club rely fairly heavily on players from Ipswich 20 miles away since, as Chenery explains, it's difficult to attract locals in a town on the Suffolk coast of only 5,500 people.
Leiston have lost only once and won the other nine games in their league, which is headed by Lowestoft Town, who were beaten by Kirkham and Wesham in last season's FA Vase final.
Wisbech Town, who Fleetwood comfortably beat at Highbury Avenue two years ago in the fourth qualifying round, are mid-table. So too are Needham Market, who lost to Kirkham in the Vase semi-final.
Three of Chenery's recruits played for AFC Sudbury in losing Vase finals.
"We brought in good players and there's a little bit more quality this time and players have gelled really well. There's a good team spirit, a good attitude and 100 per cent commitment and I can't ask for more," added the manager.
"For a club like ours, this Cup run has been huge. It's thanks to the players for having the right type of mentality. They believe in their ability and in their capability to get results.
"When you're in the extra preliminary round, you don't look that far ahead to the first round proper. You merely take it round by round and the confidence builds. Once you're two rounds away, you start believing a bit more.
"The key was our second qualifying round at Carshalton, who are third in the Rymans Premier. We won 2-1 in the last minute and players realised they could win at places from a higher level."
Leiston's league record of 42 goals scored and only four conceded underlines Chenery's contention that they are strong in all departments.
Lee McGlone is leading scorer with 19 and other goals have been shared. The defence has barely changed all season.
Former Torquay player Stuart Boardley, who scored twice in the replay
at Lewes is suspended for Saturday. As reported in The Gazette earlier this week, winger Danny Cunningham is in custody facing a prison sentence for a drugs offence.
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Weather for Blackpool
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
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