Hednesford Town manager, Rob Smith, has laid down the gauntlet to Blue Square Bet Conference North outfit Solihull Moors following the draw for the First Round of the FA Trophy on Monday lunchtime, declaring that his Pitmen side will relish the opportunity for a cup shock at Keys Park in two weeks time.
Following Sunday’s 2-1 victory against Romulus, Hednesford have now won six games on the bounce and Smith talked up the match which will take place on Saturday 24th November.
‘Everyone involved at the Club was looking for a home draw and that’s what we’ve got so we have no complaints. We will certainly give it a right go in front of our own supporters. Solihull have bags of ability and I know a lot of their players, but they won’t have things all their own way.’
The Pitmen supporters no doubt had their hearts set on a home draw against a Conference team such as Tamworth, Telford or Kidderminster, but a tie against a side currently struggling in the league above the Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division represents an opportunity that Smith is keen for his in-form team to take.
‘Stafford Rangers beat Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday and they are currently doing well after being promoted from our league last year so I don’t believe there is too much of a gap between the two divisions and on our day we can beat anyone.’
Hednesford travel to Stocksbridge Park Steels on Saturday to resume league action, looking to close the gap on leaders North Ferriby United before concentrating on the game versus Solihull the following weekend. Both matches will kick off at 3pm.