Glassboys hero back to spoil Trophy dream

Luke Benbow – who scored 136 goals in 255 games for the Glassboys – returns to the War Memorial Ground with new side Nuneaton Borough for a first qualifying round tie (3pm).

And after Stour came from 2-0 down to reach the first round proper of the FA Cup by beating Whitby Town 3-2 on Monday, Long knows they need to concentrate to keep Benbow quiet and their Trophy ambitions alive.

“We need to clear our heads from Monday night and focus on Saturday’s game,” said Long. “It’s an important game which brings money into the club.

“With a bit of luck and the luck of the draw we could go far. It’s an opportunity for some big Conference sides to come down to Stourbridge.”

The last encounter with Nuneaton ended in a 4-0 defeat for Long’s men last month, with Benbow netting two of his 11 league goals this season that night.

“We conceded bad goals and had decisions go against us – one which was stonewall in my eyes,” said Long. “We need to stop Benbow – he did well down at Stourbridge and had a good game against us last time so we’ll need to keep him quiet.”

Elsewhere, Rushall Olympic also get their FA Trophy campaign under way when they travel to Grantham Town.

Boss Liam McDonald is impressed with the competition within his squad going into the game – especially the impact made by youth players.

He said: “Brad Mansell got an opportunity (in a midweek friendly against Wolverhampton Sporting Community) having done well so far this season and he gave a good account of himself, as did Eesa Sawyers who has really come to the fore in recent weeks.

“He made his starting debut at the weekend having made a positive impact off the bench in recent games and we are pleasantly surprised with the progress he has made.”

The Pics have slipped from the top of the Southern Central Premier to sixth in recent weeks and face a Grantham side who play at the same level, but in the equivalent Northern Premier division. “They are always tough games against teams in this league,” admitted McDonald. “We’re looking forward to the challenge and we will make sure that we go there and put in a performance.”

Meanwhile, Halesowen Town are at home to Stamford, while Chasetown, Stafford Rangers and Hednesford Town all face away trips – to Leek Town, Sutton Coldfield and Stratford Town, respectively.

Kidderminster Harriers will look to build on their midweek win over Farsley Celtic when they host King’s Lynn Town in National League North.