CRAIG EDWARDS believes the confidence running through his Billericay Town side is proof that a week is a long time in football.
Edwards saw his side bounce back in style from their disappointing loss to Bognor Regis Town by beating Leiston 4-1 in the Ryman League Premier Division last Tuesday night.
And the Blues then followed that up with a 2-0 FA Cup success over the same opponents to breathe new life into their campaign.
They were scheduled to take on Canvey Island last (Tuesday) night, and head to Carshalton on Saturday with their tails up.
"It's about what happens on the day," he said. "But all I'm worried about really is my side.
"Despite a lot of criticism I've always had great faith in them and the confidence they've gained in the past two wins means I feel we can go and compete with anyone.
"A week in football can make a huge difference and we're playing with a lot of confidence now."
On Saturday the Blues scored twice late on, with substitutes Ricky Sappleton and James Robinson netting to set up an FA Cup Second Qualifying Round tie at St Albans City.
And Edwards was delighted with his two strikers – and the selection dilemma they have given him.
"They're two very good subs," he added. "They're both coming back from various things, Ricky from a suspension and Robbo from injury but what it's done is made things very difficult for me in a good way.
"I've got a lot of selection problems and that's what you want – you want selection problems because people are playing well and not because they're not playing well, so I was delighted with them, two great finishes from two very good players.
"We have got good options up front, I think any team who can keep a clean sheet against us are going to have to do extremely well.
"On Saturday the biggest plus for me was the clean sheet and if we can start keeping clean sheets then we're going to win games."
St Albans are eighth in the Southern League Premier Division and booked their place in the next round of the FA Cup with a 6-1 thumping of Enfield.
"Obviously they will be favourites," said Edwards. "They've got a very strong side and it couldn't have been much tougher for uss."
