NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL: St Neots Town boss hopes the long wait for a memorable FA Cup run will end
St Neots Town boss Matt Clements (left) with new assistant manager Jack Cassidy (right). Picture: CLAIRE HOWES - Credit: Archant
St Neots Town manager Matt Clements is licking his lips at the prospect of an FA Cup adventure.
New St Neots Town signing Russell Short in action for previous club Biggleswade Town. Picture: KARYN HADDON - Credit: Archant
His men will be hot favourites to progress when hosting lower-level Romulus in the second qualifying round of the famous competition tomorrow (Saturday), 3pm.
Saints have already banked £6,000 for their triumph against fellow Step 3 outfit Bishop’s Stortford in the previous round and there is another £9,000 up for grabs against Midland Premier League side Romulus, from Birmingham, along with the prospect of reaching the third qualifying round for the first time in 40 years.
Clements said: “We’ve been lucky to have the best possible draw at this stage of the competition in a team from a lower level at home.
“We’ll treat Romulus with every respect and won’t prepare any differently than for a league game.
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“But, as always, our focus is on our own strengths and ensuring we perform to the best of our ability. We know we have an excellent chance of getting through if we do that.
“The prize money on offer in the FA Cup is so valuable and it’s a competition which excites players and fans alike.
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“There is a real possibility of going on a good run and getting a bigger club from higher up the non-league ladder if we can take care of business on Saturday.
“The game comes at a good time for us as well. We’ve started to win football matches and looked more like our old selves in the process.”
Saints are unable to use goalkeeper Finlay Iron or midfielder Ben Worman due to the terms of their loan agreements from League Two side Cambridge United, but they are boosted by the availability of recent signing Nabil Shariff.
Saints boss Clements added another new face to his squad last night (Thursday).
He has captured former Bury Town and Biggleswade Town man Russell Short after more than a year out of the game following a double fracture of the ankle.
Short can operate in defence or midfield and Clements added: “We’ve signed a very good player and also a very good man.
“Russell will bring character and quality to the group while adding so much value on and off the pitch.”
Short is unavailable tomorrow.
