MIKE MAHER is excited to lock horns with someone he "admires greatly as a manager" after Redhill were draw against Steve McKimm's Tonbridge Angels in the FA Cup.
The Lobsters will host the Kent side on Saturday, September 27 in the second qualifying round, and Maher is under no illusion of the task his side face.
"It's a tough draw for us," the Redhill boss said. "I always knew Steve McKimm very well and when he was at Sutton United he helped me out a couple of times with players.
"Tonbridge Angels are a very good side and in my opinion have one of the best strikers in non-league in Billy Medlock, who is and out-and-out goalscorer.
"We will struggle without Gavin Gordon, who is suspended. We will be massive underdogs for the tie but we are at home, we're looking forward to it and really there is no pressure on us."
The Lobsters booked their place in the draw after a 1-0 win on Saturday over Carshalton Athletic, who were relegated from the Ryman League Premier Division at the end of last season.
"Carshalton are a massive club," Maher said. "I actually supported them and then played for them when I was growing up.
"It wasn't as close as the score suggested; I think we always looked comfortable and really it could have been 4-0 or 5-0.
"Tyrone Pink missed a couple of chances before he got his goal. I feel we deserved the win; they barely got in our penalty area."
Saturday's game was the latest in a string of clean-sheets since former Crawley Down and Horsham keeper Mike Hunter arrived at Kiln Brow, and Maher admits it is no coincidence.
"Mike has made a huge different," Maher said. "He's a great goalkeeper, really experienced, vocal, commands his box well and he adds a lot to the dressing room as well.
"He is exactly what we have been lacking the last couple of years. I'm delighted to have him at the club and I hope to be working with him for many years to come."
