Ryan Rowe hoping for more FA Cup magic

Rowe was a part of two FA Cup runs with local rivals Stourbridge that saw him reach the first round in 2009 and the second round last season.

The 24-year-old netted a belter for the Glassboys against Football League club Plymouth Argyle, who were dumped out after a replay.

That landed the former road worker a move into full-time football with Harriers in February, who paid a five-figure fee for the forward.

It was a meteroic rise for Rowe, who played in the Kidderminster & District Football League for Phoenix before moves to Cradley and Stourbridge.

Now the Harriers hitman is hoping some of his cup magic can rub off when he features for his current club in the competition for the first time.

He said: "It's the FA Cup, everyone loves playing in it and I have had a lot of success in the competition with Stourbridge.

"It can be that window for you to impress as a player, especially if you can get to the first and second rounds.

"The higher the team, the better defenders you play against and there are some big clubs in League One and Two.

"It put me on the map, that's what got me my move, I started at Sunday league and I have always moved up.

"It's a tough draw but, hopefully, we can go to Grimsby and get a result there or even take them back to our place."

Rowe endured a slow start to his first full Blue Square Premier season but has burst into life over the last month.

Five goals in the last five games have netted him a third of the goal target he has set himself for the whole campaign.

He said: "The past month or so has been good on a personal level and, as a striker, you are always judged on your goals.

"At the start of the season, I said that if I could get 15 league goals it would be a good first full season for me.

"With where we are, I am on track for that."