Tividale dreaming of a glamour cup tie

Thorpe and Phil Male have already masterminded a cup victory over a plucky Hanley Town in the last round.

The Division One South outfit have been rewarded with the lucrative visit of Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division side Stourbridge.

And Tivi's progressive showing on Tuesday night's defeat to early league pace-setters Stafford Rangers has given Thorpe much to be encouraged about.

He said: "The FA Cup is the best competition in the world.

"Every manager that starts in the extra preliminary stage or the first qualifying or whenever is dreaming about Manchester United away and there are clubs like us recently that have shown that it can be done.

"It is all about mental preparation. It is absolutely the most important thing going into these FA Cup games.

"If you can get your mentality right for these games then it can be more important than physicality.

"But there is no pressure on us. The lads can go out there and forget about the league for an afternoon and give it our best shot.

"We certainly won't be rolling out the red carpet for Stourbridge. They will have to work hard for it.

"But if my players can't get themselves up for this game at the weekend in front of a big crowd then I don't see them getting up for anything."

Despite being bottom of the table, Tividale gave leaders Rangers a scare on Tuesday night, keeping them at bay until 15 minutes from time.

Thorpe said: "Stafford are the best club in our division and I see them as step three side. There was a great crowd and that really prepared the lads for tomorrow."

Other than the ongoing absence of goalkeeper Tom Turner, Tividale have no fresh concerns ahead of the visit of the Glassboys.

Stour have signed forward Justin Richards from Sutton Coldfield Town, while midfielder Lee Chilton has departed to Leamington.

There will be a Midland League side in this year's second qualifying round as Premier Division sides Sporting Khalsa and AFC Wulfrunians lock horns.

Steve Palmer's Wulfs side have enjoyed a fast start in step five of non-league – they sit third in the Premier, four points behind early leaders Long Eaton United.

Sporting Khalsa, in their first season at Midlands Football League level, have had a solid enough start, perched in mid-table following two wins and two defeats from their opening five games.

Wulfrunians will be looking to match their best ever FA Cup run of reaching the second qualifying stage, previously achieving that feat in 2009-10 and 2013-14.

While for Ian Rowe's Khalsa, they are continuing to build on an FA Cup history that only began three seasons ago.

Palmer was part of the Tipton Town squad that reached the first round in 2010, losing 6-0 at Carlisle United.

He said: "There is always excitement when the FA Cup is around and being a local derby means there is that bit more on it.

"One more good draw and you don't know who could be playing. We've had a good start in the league, but we're not getting carried away. We know what we are and what we're working with.

"The prize money for this round is £3,000 and that is so much for our clubs.

"It's a pipe dream but it's the same for Sporting Khalsa. They're a very familiar side and all of the lads know each other."

Wulfs, who have already beaten Southam United and Evo-Stik side Romulus to reach this stage, have key defenders John Hill and Jordan Perks suspended.

Elsewhere in the cup, Richards Sneekes' Rushall Olympic travel to another Midlands League outfit in Shepshed Dynamo.

The Pics are without a league win in six games, five of which have been draws, while Shepshed are eighth in the Midlands Premier Division.

Halesowen Town, fresh from their mightily-impressive midweek league success at Matlock Town, have a tough first qualifying round tie against league rivals Mickleover Sports.

Chasetown face Lincolnshire outfit Grantham at the Scholars Ground, with Dave Stringer's men looking for Cup joy after consecutive league defeats.