EPSOM & Ewell have started the season on fire, and chairman Peter Beddoes has every reason to believe confidence is high ahead of a stiff challenge in the FA Cup.

The Salts kicked off the Combined Counties League Premier Division season last week with a 9-2 thumping of Bedfont & Feltham.

They followed it up with a 5-2 win over Gravesham Borough in Sunday’s FA Cup extra preliminary round clash.

The victory sets up a tough assignment at Faversham Town of Ryman Division South on August 20, and Beddoes is hoping they go to Kent with two more league wins under their belt.

FA CUP in PICTURES: Croydon 2-1 AFC Uckfield Town

“We go to Windsor on Saturday, and we’ll need some great support as it is always a difficult place to go,” he said.

“Then we’re at home to CB Hounslow on Tuesday, before the FA Cup game.

“Faversham Town are one step higher than us, but we are confident at the moment of going there and getting a result.

“It will be important to stay unbeaten until then because we want to keep that momentum.

“It is a cliché, but we want to go into every game believing we can win it.”

Unsurprisingly, the Salts are top of the fledgling table after hat-tricks from Daryl Cooper-Smith and Matt Farrell inspired them to hammer Bedfont.

However, it could have been different as they found themselves 2-0 down after half an hour.

Beddoes said: “We have started slowly in both games, and I don’t know what the manager says at half-time, but it clearly works and I would like some of it.

“The FA Cup is hugely important to us because the prize money gives us some insurance going into the season.

“And of course, everyone likes a cup run – there is a magic around the club, a pomp and circumstance that the players and fans don’t often get to experience.

“That was evident against Gravesham as it was their first ever cup tie.

“Personally it revives memories of the cup games in the 50s and 60s, when the only game on TV was the FA Cup final.”

The Salts picked up £1,500 for beating Gravesham, and should they repeat the feat at Faversham Town, they will pocket £1,925.