Gary Hackett calls on Stourbridge to show no fear
Stourbridge boss Gary Hackett has called on his players to show no fear as they try to create another piece of FA Cup history against Northampton Town tomorrow.
The Glassboys host the League One Cobblers in a mammoth second round tie – one of the biggest games in the club's 140-year history.
Stour, the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, have reached this stage in four of the last six seasons and Hackett claims his players are heading into the game convinced they can pull off the shock.
"What is there to fear?" he said. "No-one expects you to win. We might as well go out there and give it our best.
"The players will do – they won't go in with any fear factor. They believe they can do it.
"We have some match-winners and the more match-winners you have, the better chance you have of an upset. They are looking for it, ready to go."
Hackett, assistant boss Jon Ford and first-team coach Mark Clifton watched tomorrow's opponents fall to a 1-0 defeat in the league at Bradford last week.
Rob Page's team, who play four levels above their hosts, arrive at the War Memorial Ground having lost their last four games.
The Glassboys, by contrast, head into the game full of confidence after thrashing Workington 5-0 in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier last weekend.
The tie is the first home draw Hackett's men have been handed in the competition to this point, having battled through five away ties before beating Whitehawk 3-0 in a first round replay – the fifth time they have beaten higher-ranked opposition in recent seasons.
Asked what his final message to team would be, Hackett replied: "You just want to make the players aware of what they have achieved to get here, but also what they can achieve to get that little bit further.
"The players have friends coming down to watch, they have family down from all over the place. Make them proud of you."
Hackett expects to have a fully fit squad to choose from, with cup-tied striker Jordan Archer the only player unavailable.
Victory tomorrow would see Stour reach the third round for the first time and potentially land a shot against a Premier League big gun.
"It is one of those where you just have to be careful you don't get carried away or you will end up being disappointed," continued Hackett.
"I do believe I am a pretty level headed guy and we will focus on Northampton.
"If it happens and we win, I will answer those questions then. Whatever happens it's a great adventure again."
