Attitude the key for Haughmond in FA Vase tie
Haughmond boss Matt Burton has warned his side they are there to be shot at against lower-ranked opposition in the FA Vase.
The Shrewsbury Sports Village side created headlines after taking Boston United to an FA Cup replay this week before losing the tie 5-0. They travel to Bilston Town Community, of the tier below, tomorrow.
Midland League outfit Haughmond enjoyed a 9-0 win over the Black Country outfit last season in the West Midlands Premier Division, but Burton warned his side must not count their chickens in the second qualifying round.
“Their team talk is already done,” said Burton. “They’ll say ‘look at those big-time Charlies, get among them’.
“It’s a cup game, but if we prepare right there will be no issues. If not then we’re in for a long old day.”
Haughmond are members of the top-ranked tier for FA Vase entry and Burton hopes that the heavy home defeat against Boston in the FA Cup will not be the end of their national cup successes this term.
Though the boss did admit he will look to shuffle his pack ahead of the trip to Queen Street.
“There no reason why we can’t have a run as we’re in the top tier,” said Burton. “If we don’t have a run it will be because of ourselves.
“There’s a few changes with players that have sat out and it’s an opportunity for them to play how I know they can play.”
Ellesmere Rangers and Shifnal Town are also in FA Vase action.
Richard Brown’s Rangers, who sit seventh in the West Midlands Premier Division after five wins from seven games, host 15th-placed Hereford Lads Club.
Lads Club are new to the division having secured promotion via Division One last season.
Shifnal face an unknown quantity in the shape of Droitwich Spa, who play in the Midland League Division Two.
One level below Town, they have endured an indifferent start to the season with two wins and two defeats from five games.
Struggling Wellington Amateurs are in West Midland League action and the rock-bottom side face a crunch clash with second-bottom Pegasus.
They visit the fellow strugglers, who are based in Hereford, without a win from nine outings.
Second-placed Newport Town do battle with Wem Town in Division One’s all-Shropshire affair.
