Stourbridge eye FA Cup progress

Just two years on from their famous win over Plymouth Argyle, the Glassboys are back in the first round proper once more.

It's the third time in five seasons they have reached this stage of the competition and while many of Gary Hackett's squad are familiar with the drill, 21-year-old Richards is one of the new boys.

And while the centre-back won't ever tire of hearing about the Argyle win – or the 2009 meeting with Walsall – he believes they may be best forgotten when Stour take on Calor League rivals Biggleswade Town at the War Memorial.

"A lot of the talk in the build-up has been about Plymouth but I think we are trying to put it out of our minds," said Richards. "It won't count for anything tomorrow."

"We know we have got more than enough to beat Biggleswade but it's all about how we perform on the day."

A native of Knighton, Wales, Richards is currently studying history at the University of Birmingham and joined the Glassboys from Redditch United over the summer.

He began his career at Shrewsbury Town but failed to make it past the youth team and his journey to Stour also included a stop at AFC Telford.

It's fair to say he's been a hit since arriving – though maybe not in the way anyone was expecting.

Signed as a striker, he found himself moved to centre-back during a defensive crisis and has not left, forming a solid partnership with Nathan Bennett which has helped the Glassboys win their last nine games in all competitions.

"I suppose it's been a bit unusual," admitted Richards. "I see myself as a striker.

"I'd only ever played a handful of games at centre-back before but since I've moved there I've done alright mostly.

"To be honest it doesn't really bother me where I play as long as I'm on the pitch.

"I've found it really easy to settle here, all of the lads get on. A lot of them have obviously been here for some time and I know Sean Geddes from youth football when he was at Walsall.

"I started out at Shrewsbury but got bombed out. Last year at Redditch was the first time I've played consistently and it's the same here, I feel part of things."

Richards scored in the Glassboys 3-1 fourth qualifying round win at Workington and the club were hopeful of landing another plum first round tie.

Biggleswade aren't exactly that but the fixture does, for both sides, represent a chance to progress to the second round.

Stour will be favourites thanks to their form and home advantage but Richards said:?"It's the cup and we know anything can happen. We will treat them with respect."