The Emirates FA Cup is used to David vs Goliath ties, but Deeping Rangers boss Michael Goode insists Saturday’s clash with Kidderminster Harriers is not only the biggest in the club’s history – it’s also the biggest event the town has seen for decades.
The pair meet at the Haydon Whitham Stadium on Saturday in front of the BBC cameras, with TV executives smelling the possibility of a second round qualifying upset as a United Counties side tackles a former Football League regular.
Rangers have plenty of reasons to be optimistic too. They have won their last three games in all competitions, have lost just twice all season and face a side that has won just one in five.
And Deeping know all about big FA Cup clashes, having lost 3-2 to AFC Rushden & Diamonds last season. Goode believes they froze that day, but is desperate to ensure that doesn’t happen this time around.
“It is a massive draw for the club and it is the biggest game in the club’s history. The club and players are over the moon,” he said.
“You want a really good chance of going through and a home tie against someone big. There are four or five clubs of Kidderminster’s stature in this round.
“When the draw came out we were so happy. We had three games away before this one so to get this tie is huge. They are still full-time professionals and they carry a big gate, so they are a different level in many ways.
“It happens once in a career at our level.
“I would not say we are hitting our best form but we are getting closer to it. And they are not in a purple patch, which is great.
“We have played some big games, like against Rushden, in recent years but froze for 20 minutes. After that we were excellent, so we just have to stay in the game and you never know.”
Emirates FA Cup history
Victory on Saturday would mark Deeping Rangers’ best-ever FA Cup run. They have reached the second round qualifying three times, with the first in 2011-12. They matched that two years ago, and hope to make it third time lucky this year. Kidderminster have far more Cup experience, having reached the fifth round in 1994 while a non-League club.
Did you know?
In 2002, Deeping Rangers bought turnstiles from the old Wembley Stadium, and they now form part of the ground’s entrance.
The prize
The winners of Saturday’s tie, who will progress to the third qualifying round, will net £4,500 in prize money.
