Things will need to 'drop into place' as Brackley Town target FA Cup history

Kevin Wilkin knows things will have to “drop into place” for Brackley Town if they are to create some Emirates FA Cup history on Friday night.

The Saints are bidding to reach the third round of the competition for the first time ever but face a tough task against an in-form Tranmere Rovers side who will be buoyed by the recent appointment of Keith Hill as their new manager.

Rovers hit four first-half goals on their way to a 5-0 drubbing of Grimsby Town in Sky Bet League Two last weekend before seeing off Carlisle United 1-0 on Tuesday night.

Brackley head into the game having drawn 1-1 with Chester in the Vanarama National League North last Saturday.

And while they will be the underdogs to prevail in front of the live BBC cameras at Prenton Park (7.55pm kick-off), boss Wilkin admitted there is a lot of excitement in the air.

“It’s going to be a big night and obviously everyone is very much looking forward to it,” he said.

“Our biggest hope is that we can put out something close to our strongest side and if we can, then who knows what might happen?

“It’s just exciting times for us to be in this position. With everything that’s going on in the wider world and lockdowns and the stop-start nature of the season, it’s nice that we have something like this to look forward to.

“We want to try to make it continue but we know we are up against it because Tranmere are in great form, it’s going to be really tough.

“We aren’t under any illusions. They will have the bounce of having a new manager in there. It does have an affect and it clearly did on Saturday with him watching from the stands.

“The players will still be wanting to impress and he will want to make his mark.

“All these factors play a part but we just have to make sure we do the right things and see what happens.

“We know things have to drop into place for us. We have been fortunate enough to overcome Football League opposition in the past.

“We have a few experienced boys in that dressing-room who have been there before. They know what’s required and we know we will need to step up from some of our previous performances this season.

“We have boys who have been in this situation and it would be great if we could pull off a bit of history and take the club into the third round for the first time in its history.”

If Brackley are to pull off an upset then they will have to do it without their talisman Glenn Walker.

Walker recently became the club’s record appearance holder but he is set to miss the big second-round tie due to injury after he was ruled out of last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Chester in the Vanarama National League North.

Kevin Wilkin’s team have been hit by a plethora of injuries in the early stages of the season with captain Gaz Dean having only recently returned to action.

Aaron Phillips has also been ruled out of tomorrow's match but Wilkin is hopeful that goalkeeper Danny Lewis and left-sided player Connor Franklin will be available after knocks while Jimmy Armson also made a welcome return from the substitutes’ bench last Saturday.

But the loss of Walker is a kick in the teeth for the Saints.

“Glenn has been a big part of our consistency, certainly in my time at the club,” Wilkin added.

“To lose a player like that is massive to a team like us. We’re not a big squad and he has been one of our top players so to take him out along with the likes of Gaz Dean, who has only just come back, Danny and Connor will always hurt us.

“I think it’s been a factor in the slight inconsistency we have shown.

“It’s not to say the boys who have been playing haven’t done alright because they have but you need that extra edge.

“The attitude of the lads who have got on with the job has been spot on, there’s times when a bit of experience and knowhow have been missing but that’s what happens when you are missing some key players.

“We are hoping to bring a player or two in because we have been a bit tight for numbers.

“The boys who have been in there have got on with it and the performances have largely stood up.

“The results haven’t always been there and if we can get our best 11 out there sooner rather than later then you will see the results get to where we want them to be.”