Eric Bowen has a point to prove to Walsall

Tipton winger Eric Bowen today admitted he wants to prove a point to Walsall by helping the non-leaguers topple Carlisle in the FA Cup on Saturday.

The 24-year-old was a youth team player at the Banks's Stadium alongside Premier League star Scott Dann and Championship goalscorer Matty Fryatt.

And the industrial roofer, from West Bromwich, is keen to show the Saddlers he could have played professionally by impressing against League One Carlisle in Saturday's first-round clash at Brunton Park.

"I want to impress and try to prove a point," said Bowen. "I came out of Walsall and straight into this sort of standard.

"There were a few of the lads who were with me at Walsall who didn't make it and are not even playing football now.

"But it was important for me to keep on playing because I love it. I was there with Scott Dann, who is at Birmingham, Matty Fryatt from Leicester and Ishmel Demontagnac, who is at Blackpool.

"And there are a few of the lads still there now, like Alex Nicholls and Richard Taundry. We were all within a year or two of each other in the same youth set-up."

Bowen scored the opening goal in Town's 2-0 victory over Sheffield FC in the fourth-qualifying round to book the club's first ever match in the first round.

And he is itching to face the Cumbrian side on Saturday. "I have probably scored better goals but that was the most important," he admitted.

"This is absolutely massive. To be in the first round of the FA Cup is brilliant for this club.

"It doesn't really get any bigger."