Tipton's cup veterans eye an upset

Tipton Town's twin FA Cup first-round playing veterans have urged their team-mates to 'believe in the unexpected' on Saturday.

Town's oldest and most experienced player, Steve Palmer, 33, and 32-year-old player-coach Leon Jackson prepare for the club's biggest day at Carlisle this Saturday having both sampled the Cup's first round - with mixed results.

Centre-back Palmer reached the first round with then Conference side Telford United in 1998 and 1999, losing to Football League sides Cambridge and Blackpool respectively.

Midfielder Jackson beat Torquay as a Hinckley United player in 2004 before succumbing to Brentford in a second-round replay on Match of the Day after a goalless draw at home.

Jackson, an IT teacher at Heath Park school in Wolverhampton, said: "It's early days but we've got some real pedigree here to go on and do something.

"The lads have shown great quality, but we've got a fantastic team spirit."

Palmer, who delivers kitchen appliances for a living, is the Codsall-based son of ex-Wolves star Geoff.

He said: "I've got a few friends who have been involved in FA Cup runs from Chasetown and other local sides, and I said to the lads: 'Remember, this is the FA Cup, and you never know where this might take you.'

"We just don't know what's going to happen until we get on the pitch. So we've just got to give our best."