Blidworth Welfare tend to revel in the underdog tag and manager Ian Cotton says his team are ready to spring their latest surprise on AFC Mansfield.
The pair meet at The Welfare Ground on Saturday in The Buildbase FA Vase second round, with the winners guaranteed safe passage through to the last 32.
Blidworth beat Heanor Town 4-0 to reach this stage and the Central Midlands Division South side hope to keep their cup run going and stop their disappointing league form from interrupting a promising campaign.
The Nottinghamshire side sit 12th in their division, three places above the bottom, but Cotton believes his youthful side are best suited to knockout football, with their direct style and frightening pace catching teams out.
“On the day there is very little between teams and we have a lot of pace in our side. We are young and can hurt teams,” he said.
“In the league we struggle to set a tempo because we are young, but when we come up against a good side from a higher league and they set the tempo, we can match that.
“I know Mansfield very well. Many years ago when I started in management I was the deputy of the reserve team. They were my local club and I watched them a few times.
“They have got a bit more pace than Heanor did but I think if we are on it again then we are well capable of winning it. And that would be massive for the club.
“Financially we struggle for sponsors and to get people through the gates every year. This cup run has funded us for next year with the money we have made already."
FA Vase record
Blidworth Welfare have already gone further than ever before in the FA Vase, having reached the first round in 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13.
AFC Mansfield reached the fifth round in 2014-15, before being knocked out by Tadcaster Albion.
Did you know?
Blidworth were asked to train with the England national team in 1998 after they lost all 28 of their league matches – conceding 128 goals and scoring just eight.
Then-manager Steve Fleming said: “I don't want to insult the lads, but there is a serious lack of fitness in the team. Their ball control is frightening.”
One to watch
AFC Mansfield will have to watch out for Blidworth winger Gareth Curtis, one of their main suppliers of goals and assists. Blidworth usually deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Curtis given the licence to roam from his left-wing position.
The prize
The winners will book a spot in the third round and take home £750.
