Town need to be fearless as FA Cup history beckons

FOOTBALL

STRATFORD Town must show a fearless approach when they bid to reach the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time, according to manager Carl Adams.

Town were minutes away from reaching the final qualifying round – 90 minutes from the first round proper and the possibility of playing Coventry City, Bradford City or Portsmouth – before hosts Scarborough Athletic levelled in stoppage time.

The sides meet again tonight (Tuesday) with the huge incentive of a home tie in the next stage – against Northern Premier Division One North Hyde United ­– for the winners.

Adams says Town will fancy their chances but the prospect of a home tie in the next round will be a huge carrot for both teams.

“It’s an exciting draw – and Scarborough will think that too,” said Adams. “But we have to focus on the next challenge which is beating Scarborough.

“We showed on Saturday that there’s nothing to fear. Now we’re at home, they are having to travel midweek, we’re probably the favourites. We’ve got to respond to that challenge.”

First Ben Stephens and then Dan Summerfield put Town ahead on Saturday at the Flamingo Lane Stadium. But the Northern Premier Division One North hosts, who had won eight in a row prior to Saturday, hit back to level in the third minute of added time.

“Scarborough came at us in the first half, with the wind in their favour, but we dealt with it.

“We didn’t play great but we did what we needed to do and we were minutes away from glory. Now we’ve got to make sure we get the job done.”

Though Edwin Ahenkorah was on the bench last weekend, the striker is still troubled by a knee injury and won’t be risked tonight.