St Albans City manager Ian Allinson is challenging his players to keep their eyes on the prize when they take on Hertfordshire neighbours Boreham Wood in front of the BBC cameras in the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday.
The National League South high-flyers host the Wood, who ply their trade a division higher, in the fourth round qualifying and their battle to reach the promised land of the first round proper will be the sixth tie from this year’s iteration of the world’s original cup competition to be streamed live on the BBC website.
Former Arsenal and Colchester United winger Allinson, who also previously managed Boreham Wood, is sure that his troops will be keen to strut their stuff in front of a wider audience - but hopes that they will also keep their minds focused on the challenge of attempting to usurp higher-league opposition in a lunchtime kick-off.
“It makes things a little bit different in terms of preparation and planning,” said the Saints chief.
“I’ve spoken to the players at length about making sure that they’ve eaten at a certain time and things like that.
“It’s difficult because I don’t want to use it as a showcase and it is a big occasion but it’s not one of those where you need to get carried away.
“You are going to be in front of cameras but we’ve got to be careful.
“I’d loved to have had a lesser side at home and got through to the first round proper, but it is a mouth-watering tie, not only because of my own experiences but because of the proximity of both clubs.
“We have to make sure that we turn up properly prepared because the main goal at the start of any season is to try and get through and draw a pro side at home.
“We’ve just been given an opportunity to cause an upset before the first round.”
As a player, Allinson reached the Emirates FA Cup quarter-finals in 1986-87 with Arsenal, and the semi-finals with Colchester the following season.
Last season, he led the Saints to a high-scoring 5-3 first round proper defeat to Carlisle United, having previously also taken on the Cumbrians as Wood boss at the same stage in 2013-14.
Despite his links to both clubs, Allinson insists there isn’t any bad blood between them.
“They’re very close but I think the two teams have not really been in the same league too often,” he said.
“It will generate a crowd and there will be local bragging rights involved but it’s probably not as intense as some of the other local derbies would have been.”
Emirates FA Cup history
St Albans have made it to the second round proper three times, most recently in 1996-97, when they were beaten 9-2 by Bristol City. Boreham Wood have reached that stage once, losing 2-1 to Luton Town in the very same year.
Did you know?
Former Saint Wilfred Minter holds the record for the player to have scored the most goals for a losing side in an FA Cup tie, having notched seven goals in an 8-7 defeat to Dulwich Hamlet in 1922.
The prize
The winners of Saturday’s tie will progress to the first round proper and net £12,500 in prize money.
