Nuneaton tie delights Andy Sinton but league must come first
AFC Telford boss Andy Sinton today declared his delight at getting home advantage in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round.
The Bucks were drawn against fellow Blue Square Bet Premier League side Nuneaton in today’s draw.
Sinton admitted it will be a difficult tie against a side who have already beaten them once this season. That defeat came away from home last month and the Bucks chief said playing this latest encounter at the New Bucks Head was a big plus-point as he seeks to build on Saturday’s 1-0 win over Woking.
“It is an interesting tie for a number of reasons,” he said. “We are at home, which pleases me, but it is against another conference side so it will be a tough test. It is a great competition and we would love to have a good cup run but we have got to take one game at a time because we have got matches in the league to focus on before then.”
The game, to be played on October 20, will also reunite several former Telford players with their ex-team mates.
Current Nuneaton players Jon Adams, Gavin Cowan, Simon Forsdick, Kyle Perry and Andy Brown have all plied their trade at the New Bucks Head.
Sinton praised the contributions of all five to the club but added that his focus will be purely on his current squad and ensuring they progress to the next round.
“All the players that are coming back served the club well and in that sense it will be great to see them back,” he said.
“But football is like life, it moves on and it is important to focus on the ones who are at the club now.
“In a player’s career they have probably got 15 or 16 opportunities to get as far as he can in the FA Cup and the players have got to make the most of it.”
The Bucks will have more pressing matters to contend with before then, though, starting with tomorrow’s trip to Dartford in the league.
Sinton is hoping to have Luke Hubbins and Ryan Valentine fully fit for the game following problems with a sickness bug and a back injury respectively.
A final decision will be made at tonight’s training session on who will travel. Jake Reid, Chris Blackburn and Michael Briscoe are all injury doubts, while Kieron St Aimie is serving the last of a three-game ban.