FA Cup Previews: the non-league assault

COVENTRY v KIDDERMINSTER

Kidderminster Harriers manager Mark Yates has praised the efforts of his non-league side and he believes they have earned the chance to play on the big stage against Championship outfit Coventry City.

The two sides meet in the third round at the Ricoh Arena tomorrow and to reach this stage of the competition Harriers have already beaten King’s Lynn, Cambridge United and Curzon Ashton.

Yates said: “The players deserve this chance to step out in a great stadium like the Ricoh Arena and play in the FA Cup third round. There is no doubting that their efforts have been absolutely brilliant this season.

“They have worked hard and are reaping the rewards – all credit to them. We’ll be ready for Coventry, who have some excellent players and a great manager (Chris Coleman).

“But it’s the FA Cup and there could be a surprise. The boot’s on the other foot because we were the favourites against Curzon Ashton, while we’re now the underdogs so it’s a different situation.”

SHAILY’S VERDICT: Harriers and their fans will be hoping for an upset but I can’t see beyond a City win.

HISTON v SWANSEA

Histon boss Steve Fallon has defensive problems ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Championship side Swansea. Gareth Gwillim was the latest player to join the club’s lengthy injury list after being forced out of Sunday’s Blue Square Premiership victory against Grays.

Consequently, Fallon, whose side have already beaten Swindon and Leeds in this competition, has moved to strengthen his squad by sealing the signings of former Reading central defender Adam Bygrave from Weymouth for £5,000 and Dagenham and Redbridge full-back Marlon Patterson.

Patterson is expected to go straight into the starting line-up to face Roberto Martinez’s side at the Glass World Stadium, while Bygrave is likely to be named amongst the substitutes.

Histon chairman Gareth Baldwin admits these are exciting times for the club. “We are in the best position we have ever been in, being second in the Blue Square Premier and reaching the third-round of the FA Cup, so if we didn’t support the management’s request to bring in players you would have to question our ambition.”
SHAILY’S VERDICT: Histon have done exceptionally well do get this far but the Swans should have too much firepower.

FOREST GREEN v DERBY

Forest Green playmaker Simon Clist says the FA Cup run has helped to save the club’s season as Jim Harvey’s men prepare to host Championship strugglers Derby County. After a dismal run of 11 games without a win earlier in the campaign, Rovers then beat Ashford Town 4-0 in the fourth qualifying round, before beating Rochdale 2-0 in the second round to clinch this lucrative tie against the Rams.

Clist said, “We improved our form once the FA Cup started and we raised our game to beat Rochdale in the last round. We are going to need to do that again if we are to get anything from the tie.

“Our strength is that we can play football and the ability of the players we have got. Maybe Derby will find it easier if we played a more direct than we usually do. But if we can play our game similar to how we played in the last round I’m sure we will do well.

“We are a small club but we have players with ability. We have also got a good blend of youth and experience, which is good. We have got players who have played in the Football League and we believe we have a good chance of getting a result.

SHAILY’S VERDICT: Derby should book their place in the fourth round but it may need a replay at Pride Park.