AFC Telford United preview: Bucks look to back up 8-0 triumph with FA Trophy trip to Hornchurch

Kevin Wilkin will be looking to make it third time lucky in the twice-postponed fourth round tie at Hornchurch - with a trip to National League side Yeovil Town awaiting the winners. 

'We'll enjoy it and quickly look forward to Tuesday'

"That was more us, that was more of what we've shown for most of the season, and I’m delighted for the lads," boss Wilkin said. 

"They work really, really hard. The people around me put in a lot of effort, and it's nice when you can share in comfortable results like that. We'll enjoy it and quickly look forward to Tuesday.

“We want to try and play attractive football. Clearly, winning games is the most important thing. If we can play attractive football along the way with that, then great.

"We've had some good results on the road now over the last sort of month or so, six weeks, and all the time understanding what it takes to win on the road, what it takes to win at home.

"In any game, they're not easy. Curzon is a good side. They've only lost, I think, 1-0 to Kidderminster, and obviously Kidderminster beat us fairly comfortably when we last played them.

"They're a good side, and it's unfortunate you end up being on the end of those sorts of results.”

Wilkin highlights Bucks' progression 

So far, the Bucks emerged 2-1 victors at Chesham United in the second round and 4-3 winners at home to Altrincham in a thrilling seven-goal encounter in the FA Trophy.

They will be aiming to reach the last eight for the first time since famously reaching the semi-finals back in 2019.

Their latest victory in the National League North saw them climb three places into 10th and four points adrift of the play-off places.

Telford had lost 3-0 at Curzon Ashton on their previous visit in March 2023 and Wilkin highlighted that as yet another example of how much the club has progressed.

“For me as a manager and the team that we last came here with. I remember the game well, and moments, games, and situations like that drive me because I don't want that to be the case again," Wilkin added.

"I think we lost 3-0 last time we came here, which was really, really disappointing. When you go into battle, you want to go in with your best players; you want to go in with good players that are capable of dealing with situations and are capable of winning and getting results.

"I feel we've got a whole lot more progressive players now at the club than we had when we first came in. 

"It's important that we try to hold that together and grow that situation, and try and enjoy what the rest of the season could be all about.”