FA Cup fever has taken hold of Bewdley Town ahead of their extra-preliminary round clash at home to Alvechurch on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Joint manager Craig Payton admitted that the excitement is building as they take part in the world's oldest and most famous club knockout competition for the first time ever.

Bewdley are anticipating a large crowd at Ribbesford Meadows for the visit of their Worcestershire neighbours and will have a special commemorative FA Cup programme to mark the clash.

“It’s an honour to be playing in the FA Cup, for many of the players this is the biggest thing they have ever played in,” commented Payton.

WWe've played Alvechurch quite a few times in recent years so we know each other very well.

“We’d love to be able to to go further in this competition but we are also trying to make the most of Saturday.

“We have special programmes on the day and we're hoping that we get a big crowd down to support us.”

If they progress, the Ribbesford Meadows outfit will then go to Kidsgrove Athletic in the next round on Saturday, August 29.

Town know Saturday’s opponents well having beaten and lost to them in the Worcestershire Senior Cup in recent seasons.

Striker Richard Burgess is set to miss the game because of a back injury.

Town will be aiming to bounce back after losing 3-2 to Wolverhampton Casuals in the first game of the West Midlands League Premier Division on Saturday.

New signing Grant Joshua fired them ahead, while Dave Canlon also scored.

At 2-1 Joshua had a goal mistakenly ruled out when his powerful volley burst through a hole in the net and came out the other side.

Casuals took advantage and bagged all three points with two more goals.

“The official noticed a big hole in the netting and asked it to be fixed but he never checked it again,” said Payton.

“We can’t blame that incident for our defeat because we let a couple of soft goals in.”