Brackley target their day of FA Cup destiny
Phil Lines says he and his Brackley Town side are ready to give everything to make it past Eastwood Town tomorrow and in to the FA Cup second round.
Lines and his Town troops have been counting down the days until they walk out at Coronation Park and kick-off in the FA Cup first round proper for the first time in their history.
A sensational 1-0 win at Hampton & Richmond Borough in the fourth qualifying round earned the Saints the right to walk tall in the world's most famous cup competition, and having made it this far, they want more.
Both teams ply their trade in step three of the non-League ladder, and both have belief that tomorrow will see them continue to make history.
Brackley boss Lines, who last tasted the FA Cup first round as a player 33 years ago, says his hard-working men deserve nothing more than a crack at the big guns in round two or three, and will give blood, sweat and tears to the cause to make sure it is they who are in the hat for the second round draw on Sunday.
"We have got a very, very big game of football coming up," said Lines.
"We have all been looking forward to it all week and counting down the days.
"The cup run has been great for the club, we have had some great media attention and it has put us on the map.
"But among all the euphoria, we have to make sure we are right for the game, we prepare well and we play to the best of our ability."
For every story of success in the FA Cup comes one of heartbreak, and Saints captain Scott Hadland is the undeserving loser on this occasion, missing the game through suspension.
The game comes too early for Elliot Sandy also, who is still recovering from knee-ligament surgery. Striker Tony Thorpe and the previous round's goal-hero Josh Green are expected to be fit however, with the odds stacked 70/30 in their favour.
Tomorrow's match will be the fifth straight away tie for the Saints in this season's competition, and Lines says his side's incredible achievements on the road so far mean they deserve a shot at round two in front of their own supporters at St James Park.
And he wants to see his cup-kings cap of their FA Cup tour with victory in the biggest game of their careers.
"I couldn't wish more luck for this set of players," said Lines. "They have been absolutely brilliant.
"All five rounds we have played have been away from home which is incredible when you think about it.
"I'd love them to get to the second round and play a big team at home. They deserve that chance.
"Tomorrow will be a tough but winnable game."
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Weather for Northampton
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
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