Rushall to use home advantage

Rushall boss Paul Holleran today began the countdown to next Saturday's FA Cup cracker and told Hednesford: "You'll hate coming here."

The Pitmen secured a trip to Dales Lane in the third qualifying round with Tuesday's midweek replay win at Alfreton.

Holleran believes the Pics are slowly turning their home into a place visiting teams fear.

"Our home form has been tremendous with six successive wins," said Holleran.

"At the start of the season I spoke to the players about when I was manager at other clubs Dales Lane was never a place you wanted to go.

"Rushall have lost that a bit over the last couple of seasons and I wanted to get it back.

"I want my players to look forward to playing there, but for opposing teams to wake up in the morning to not wanting to.

"We've had some tough games at home and played some good sides but we've won them."

Holleran was delighted that the Pitmen progressed to set up the prospect of a mouthwatering local derby - and a tie he believes could be the biggest game in the Pics' history.

"I think it's the tie we were all keeping our fingers crossed would happen," said Holleran.

"I've never known so many people wanted Hednesford to win a game.

"It was a great performance for them to win at Alfreton and I was really pleased for their manager Phil Starbuck.

"He's had a tough time recently but the club have stuck by him and their results seem to be turning.

"The vast majority of the time bringing in a new face can work but at this level you generally are where you are because of what your budget is.

"This tie is great for the area and this is probably the biggest game we have ever had because of the fact we've progressed this far in the FA Cup and that we've drawn Hednesford.

"It's great for all the people involved with Rushall.

"They've had a couple of difficult seasons but it's nice to be able to reward them with a cup run.

"There is nothing like winning and it's nice to have that winning feeling back.

"We know Hednesford are a decent side. I've watched them a couple of times this season and if they turn up and play on the day like they are capable of if will be very difficult for us.

"But if we get our game going it will be an interesting afternoon."

Holleran was pleased with his side's performance in beating Bishops Cleeve in midweek, a result which kept them in early touch with the Southern One Midlands pacesetters.

"Bishops Cleeve would have gone top if they had won, so they are decent," said Holleran.

"They won't be far away at the end of the season.

"When you're in the middle of lots of cup games like we are it's important to pick up points in the league when you play so you don't fall too far behind.

"If you get to a point when you're 10 points behind then you can have a problem.

"But even when we play our next league games we won't be too far behind."