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Striker Yemi Odubade says history shows Maidstone United have nothing to fear when they take on Rochdale in FA Cup first round

Yemi Odubade can draw inspiration from one of the great FA Cup shocks as Maidstone look to upset Rochdale.

Stones striker Odubade was with Stevenage when they beat Premier League Newcastle 3-1 almost six years ago.

Graham Westley’s League 2 side cared little for reputations, got in the Magpies’ faces and sent them packing.

Maidstone striker Yemi Odubade Picture: Andy Jones
Maidstone striker Yemi Odubade Picture: Andy Jones

Odubade remembers it well and has some advice for his Stones team-mates as they prepare to meet League 1 Rochdale at the Gallagher on Sunday.

He said: “Treat the players like any other players. Don’t think that they’re two leagues above us. Go out and play our game, stamp our authority and who knows?

“We have got some good players, Rochdale haven’t played on 3G in League 1, that’s another thing, so we have to use that to our advantage as well.”

Odubade scored in the shoot-out as Stevenage beat MK Dons on penalties at the start of their FA Cup run. Victory over AFC Wimbledon followed, to set up a home tie against Alan Pardew’s Newcastle in round three.

Odubade said: “The build-up was huge. From the Monday, every single day at the training ground there were camera crews and photographers everywhere.

“We thought we had a good chance because we were a physical side, we felt we may be able to rough them up and we did."

Read the full interview in Friday's Kent Messenger.

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