Alvechurch target Emirates FA Cup tie with old rivals Hereford

Alvechurch missed out on promotion from the Midlands Football League to Hereford last season. 

The Church won 32 of their 42 league matches last term and scored 99 goals, but could not keep pace with the Hereford juggernaut and finished as runners-up.

And boss Ian Long is licking his lips at the prospect of gaining revenge in The Emirates FA Cup, provided they can knock out Haughmond in Saturday’s extra preliminary round tie.

The Bulls will be forever synonymous with The Emirates FA Cup after Ronnie Radford’s goal saw off Newcastle United in 1972 and, with more than 3000 fans regular coming through the turnstiles at Edgar Street last term, their presence at this stage of the competition would make them a prized scalp.

And Alvechurch manager Long admits he is desperate to overcome Haughmond on Saturday and book that tie in the next round.

"Personally as a player, I never had a very good record in The FA Cup, and as a manager we’ve been disappointed in the competition as well," he said.

"So we’ll be looking to go a little bit better than that. If we can get past Haughmond, we’ve got a tough draw being away at Hereford. 

"It probably couldn’t get much harder at this stage in the competition. We ran them so close to the title last year, so there’s that little bit of extra spice."

Shrewsbury-based Haughmond are an unknown quantity, with Long admitting he has not seen them play, as they prepare for their first-ever Emirates FA Cup adventure.

"It’s a potential banana skin," added Long.

"They will be raring to go and the financial reward is huge, so it is a big clash for the first game of the season."

This tie against Alvechurch will be Haughmond's first appearance in The FA Cup

Alvechurch reached the first round for the first time in 1971-72, as they overcame Oxford City in the longest match in FA Cup history. The tie was taken to a fifth replay, which Alvechurch eventually won 1-0. 

Two years later, they reached the third round by beating King’s Lynn 6-1, before losing 4-2 to Bradford City.

Haughmond are set to play in The Emirates FA Cup for the first time.

Did you know?

Former Arsenal and England striker Alan Smith played for Alvechurch in 1981 before joining Leicester City a year later. Smith won 13 England caps, scoring two goals.

Haughmond are named after Haughmond Hill, which overlooks the ground at Sundorne Pitches.

One to watch

Last season’s West Midlands Regional League Premier player of the season, Dave Howarth, will be Haughmond’s key man. The attacker has a knack of scoring goals in big games and has netted against potential second round opponents Hereford.

Winger Josh Sarmento, signed by Long from Wolverhampton Sport in the off-season, is tipped to have a big year at Alvechurch. The former Benfica youngster is quick, skillful and has an eye for goal.

Prize

The winners of the extra preliminary round tie will earn £1,500 and a money-spinning trip to Hereford FC.