MANAGER Brad Quinton wants the current crop of Braintree Town players to experience the magic of the FA Cup in the same way that he did as an Iron player as they prepare to start off on the Road to Wembley this weekend.

Braintree entertain Evo-Stik Southern League premier division side Royston Town in the second qualifying round at the IronmongeryDirect Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) and Quinton wants to transfer his team’s good start to their Vanarama National League South campaign to the cup contest.

Quinton wrote his name in Braintree’s FA Cup folklore as a player when he scored against the soon-to-be England goalkeeper Joe Hart when the Iron played in the first round proper for the first time in their history against Shrewsbury in 2005.

He knows what the famous competition means to the club and having seen his team beat Concord Rangers 1-0 in their Essex derby on Tuesday, is keen to notch another success against Royston.

The Iron boss said: “An FA cup run is important for this club and it was always something I loved doing as a player here.

“Playing in the FA Cup is every player’s dream and you look to go as far as you can go so you may be rubbing shoulders with some real superstars.

“I feel we can have a good run.

“We concentrate on the league first, but we want to do well in the cup.

“It’s very important for the club.

“It’s the FA Cup – the greatest cup competition in my mind and for me to give these boys a taste of what I’ve had with this club is something I really want to do.

“But there is prize money for the club and it’s important for the fans as well.

“So it’s important that we focus on our jobs on Saturday.

“I don’t care what the score is, as long as we win and put ourselves in the hat (for the next round).

“But the most important thing at this moment in time is that we’re doing very well in the league with a squad that started from scratch.

“I’m proud of these boys.

“We’ll rest up and go again for the cup game on Saturday.”

As the higher-placed club, Braintree should go into the FA Cup tie as favourites, but Quinton knows all about their opponents and is expecting a tough test.

“I know (Royston manager) Steve Castle well, he’s a lovely bloke but it’s about us,” he added.

“It’s at home and that’s fantastic as that’s what you always want but everyone has to turn up and perform.

“It’s the FA Cup and no-one will roll over for you.

“Royston will raise their game and you know you’ll have to work hard, but that is something we will always do.”