FA Cup preview: Tividale don’t mind being underdogs
Boss Dave King insists Tividale are heading into tomorrow’s FA Cup clash with Chasetown with ‘absolutely nothing to lose’.
King’s men, of the Midland Premier, are welcoming the Scholars – who play a level above, in the Northern One South East – to The Beeches.
Tivi are the underdogs going into the preliminary round tie, but it is a tag King is relishing as ‘every dog has its day’.
“We’re feeling good about it. They are obviously a good team,” he said.
“Wednesfield were the underdogs against us in the last round, and now we’re the underdogs against Chasetown.
“We’ve got some info on them, and they’re a very good side by all accounts.
“But every dog has its day and there’s absolutely nothing for us to lose. It’s a free hit for us.
“We’re going to go and enjoy it, and see where it takes us.”
Chasetown, managed by Scott Dundas, go into the encounter in fine fettle having won their opening two league games for the first time since 2007.
Tividale have had a solid start to the term after promotion from the West Midlands Premier too.
“We’ve started the league season with seven points from a possible 12 after going up, and we’d have taken that,” said King.
“The squad is stronger than it was last year, so we’re looking forward to the game.”
Lichfield City are looking to reach uncharted territory in the Cup.
Following a thrilling 3-2 victory against Highgate United earlier this month, Jay Hawkins’ side are now looking to progress beyond the preliminary round for the first time ever.
Shropshire side Haughmond – who, like Highgate, are ranked one step higher on the non-league pyramid than Midland One side City – are the ones standing in their way of making history.
“The FA Cup is a great competition and being drawn against sides from higher divisions provides a good opportunity for our lads to test themselves,” said Hawkins, who should have a bumper crowd willing his charges on at Brownsfield Road.
“We caused Highgate lots of problems in the previous round with Luke Childs scoring a great hat-trick to get us to this stage.
“It was the first time the club had won a home game in the FA Cup or scored a goal in the competition at home in Lichfield, so we are breaking new ground all the time.
“It would be a superb achievement if we could reach the first qualifying round, and we will give it our all against tough opposition.”
Sporting Khalsa – who reached the fourth qualifying round in 2015, where they lost to FC United of Manchester – are heading to Belper Town.
Halesowen Town are also on the road, going to Bedworth United.
Paul Smith’s Yeltz are also due to make the trip there on Monday, in the Southern One Central – in which they have won both games thus far on the back of relegation.
At home are AFC Wulfrunians, who enjoyed a 2-0 victory over Racing Club Warwick in the last round.
They are going up against Leek Town – who play a level above Midland Premier Wulfs, in the Northern One South East.
Stourport Swifts are also in action at home, taking on Boldmere St Michaels.
Stourport won 3-1 at Atherstone Town to set up the tie.
All winners in this round will bag a cool £2,890 in prize money.
