WITTON Albion will not be weighed down by expectation they should beat Sutton Coldfield Town in tomorrow’s FA Trophy first qualifying round clash.
Gary Finley’s men saw off UniBond League Division One North table-toppers Colwyn Bay in the last round, but the manager insists that means nothing now.
“I’ve done my homework and have a good idea what to expect [from them],” he said.
“But I can’t ask for any more than to be playing in front of our own fans at this stage.
“I said it before the last round [Witton won 2-0 at Llanelian Road] and I feel the same now; I’m desperate for us to go on a run in this competition.
“Every manager says that though don’t they?”
Their prize for winning in north Wales was worth £2,000, with a further £2,300 on offer to tomorrow’s victors.
Finley added: “It’s a bit more revenue for the club.
“If we get through again then of course there’s a bit more on offer and that will help us no end.”
The Witton boss is sweating on the fitness of front runner Mike Moseley, who continues to struggle to shake off a groin strain picked up in last month’s win over Kidsgrove Athletic.
He sat out Tuesday’s UniBond League President’s Cup win at Prescot Cables.
It leaves Finley facing a dilemma.
Witton’s other forward, Stuart Rudd, has proved such a revelation as an emergency defender alongside Brian Pritchard that the Witton boss is reluctant to disrupt their understanding.
Indeed Rudd’s absence through suspension last weekend – Witton were held at home by lowly Quorn – was felt more in Albion’s back four.
But he did head the winner at Prescot in a 2-1 win.
Keeper Joe Clegg was absent in midweek too, his place at Valerie Park taken by former Tranmere Rovers shot-stopper Peter Kennedy.
Should tomorrow’s match end in a draw then Albion head to Sutton Coldfield on Monday, kick off 7.30pm, for a replay.
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