Red hot striker Matt Hayden has opened up about the stigma of mental health, being a firefighter, and loving life at Brantham Athletic, ahead of their potential history-making FA Cup tie against Aveley FC.

Former Histon hitman Hayden hit the winner against St Ives to set up the Imps' all-ticket second qualifying round clash with the Essex side at Brantham Leisure Centre tomorrow, just days after signing for Michael Brother's side.

But he was quick to deflect the praise, and while he is delighted to get the opportunity to help the club reach the third round qualifying stage for the first time in their 113 year history, he recognises the important it would mean to the club.

Brantham will win £3,3375 in prize money and would be just two more ties away from the First Round Proper and potential Football League opposition, defeat would mean a £1,125 goodbye payment.

"Yes, I scored the goal that got us through and grabbed the headlines," said the former Newmarket Town, Mildenhall Town, Stowmarket Town, Histon, Thetford Town, Hadleigh United and Newton forward, "but it was all the boys' work rate was unbelievable. Goals may win games, but clean sheets are equally important.

"It does mean a lot to me to be playing in the FA Cup but I would say it means even more to the club.

"It is more than just the money, it is about putting smiles on faces in these difficult times. When they see an underdog go through it people love it.

"Crowds like coming out to see it, even with social distancing, it is good for them to get out the house and support the boys."

The Imps are looking to pull off a third cup upset in a row after beating Great Wakering Rovers away, before St Ives, and now face an Aveley side that finished runners up to Wayne Brown and Paul Abraham's Maldon & Tiptree in the Isthmian North Division, a higher level in the football pyramid than Brantham.

But Hayden is confident Brothers and his coaching staff can conjure up the tactics to pull off victory against the Millers.

Hayden said: "It has been down to the manager and his team to look at Aveley and work out what we need to do, all we have to do is listen and follow instructions. We will certainly back ourselves, why not?"

After a couple of unsatisfactory spells with various clubs after leaving Histon, where he enjoyed a prolific spell in front of goal, Hayden is enjoying his football once more..

Hayden has already netted twice in three games for the Imps, with the opener against Gorleston last Saturday helping Brantham maintain their unbeaten start to Thurlow Nunn League Premier season, and he appears to have found his spiritual home.

"Since Histon I have not really enjoyed my football until I have come here to Brantham," admitted the big number nine. "Suddenly I'm enjoying myself again. There is no pressure, that was the first thing Michael Brothers said to me, just enjoy your football, express yourself and I think because there is no pressure I have been able to do well.

"We have had three wins and a draw in the league and we want to continue that. It is about consistency, it is fine doing well in the cup, but that is no good unless you win in the league."

Personal trainer and on-call firefighter Hayden is not just a goal-getter on the pitch. He achieved his dream of qualifying with Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service in January and even though he is based at the station in Mildenhall, he has no problems getting time off for games.

When not putting out fires, he likes to extinguish the hopes of opponents and is also a key player for SFRS. A goal, and man of the match performance in a 3-1 semi-final win against Merseyside took the team to the final of the National Cup final, in Manchester before lockdown struck.

Hayden said: "Being in the Fire Service is a very rewarding job. They are very supportive and as long as I still do my hours in the job they are happy. It helps that I play for the brigade and we got to the finals."

Working as a personal trainer, and in the fire brigade, while playing non-league football, has opened his eyes to the issue of mental health, especially among young men and has been an unofficial ambassador to support those who suffer in silence.

Hayden said: "I'm very supportive of people going through problems with mental health. It is a big issue, especially in local football, with people not talking about it so we need to change that.

"It is about that macho environment but if more people talked about it, then more people would be able to be supportive and there would be less problems.

"It is tough for those who suffer, one day you can be good, the next not at all.

"It is the same in the job I do, there are likely to be those who suffer but don't talk about it. I would like to see that change."

People can contact: Suffolk Mind to talk with someone in confidence.

With a crowd limited to 300 supports the game is all-ticket. Details of tickets for Brantham's FA Cup tie can be found here... There will be no sales at the turnstile on the day.