Town target Leek cup upset (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Town target Leek cup upset

10:44am Thursday 6th September 2012 in Local

CRAIG Payton is hoping his Bewdley Town side can spring a surpise in Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Leek Town, writes Emily Liles.

The Worcestershire outfit make the 120-mile round trip to Staffordshire to take on their Evo-Stik Division One South opponents.

Bewdley go into the game on the back of their first defeat this season against Pegasus Juniors but Payton is optimistic ahead of the first qualifying round clash.

“The game against Pegasus was entertaining for the neutral,” said Town’s joint manager.

“It could have gone either way with both goalkeepers having a number of saves to make.

“The loss has come at the wrong time going into this weekend but last year we beat Market Drayton who are in the same league as Leek so we are confident.

“We know progressing in the FA Cup can win us a lot of money and how important it is to the club.”

In the same round a year ago, Town gave Stourbridge a scare in what many at the War Memorial Ground regarded as the Glassboys’ toughest game in their famous cup run.

Russ Godfrey’s 35th-minute opener rocked Gary Hackett’s men who fought back to win the game 2-1 at Ribbesford Meadows.

This season, a replay victory over Brocton was following by an emphatic 5-3 win away at Wellington in previous rounds for Bewdley, whilst the Blues claimed a narrow 2-1 victory over Evesham United in the preliminary round.

Due to the local interest in the fixture, the club have also provided a 52-seater coach for supporters to travel north with the players and management staff.

It is hoped the travelling faithful can roar their side onto what would be a lucrative victory, with winners of first qualifying round matches earning £3,000.

“We look forward to the day. On Saturday, we’re all meeting in the centre of Bewdley which will be very exciting for all concerned.

“Then we’ve got to do it all again a week later when we go on the same coach to the same ground to play Leek CSOB in the FA Vase,” added Town’s joint manager.

Payton also revealed he has just two absentees ahead of the trip to Harrison Park with defender Dan Jones and striker Chris Hough both missing.