EVEN though manager Darren Kelly refuses to accept the term, HYDE UNITED head to Boston Town for tomorrow (Saturday’s) FA Cup clash as firm favourites.
The stats suggest they are within touching distance of the fourth qualifying round for the first time since 2013 in what was their second and final season in the former Conference National Division.
Hyde play at a level higher than the Poachers, who are midtable in the United Counties League premier division, and are unbeaten in 21 games.
The Tigers are also enjoying their longest FA Cup run for around a dozen years, and since then-manager Steve Waywell famously declared he had absolutely no interest in cups. In the ensuing period they have barely won a tie.
But Kelly urged caution, insisting the match is much tougher than it looks. He said: “I really don’t buy that tag of favourites.
“Warrington went into the game against us as favourites and we dominated them. Boston have beaten three clubs from higher levels including Hednesford Town from the Evo-stik premier division.
“All I can say is that the players will be professional in their attitude. They’ll bring the necessary effort to the table and hopefully — I say again hopefully — they’ll be able to win.”
Town have proved themselves able to rise to the occasion in the FA Cup and have steadily built up momentum. They are keen to win the £7,500 prize money and reach the fourth qualifying round for the first time since 1980.
Kelly watched them in midweek, but it remains to be seen how true an impression of their abilities he was able to glean. Boston went down 5-0 at Eynesbury Rovers, losing their unbeaten away record in the process, but rested a number of players. They had to play the last 30 minutes with ten men after defender Jason Field received a straight red.
Jack Stockdill and Luke Porritt will again miss out for Hyde, but midfielder Chris Churchman came through training last night and could make his first appearance tomorrow when he is likely to be among the substitutes.
In the day’s lone National League North fixture, CURZON ASHTON are home to Darlington and manager John Flanagan has three players out with hamstring problems: Danny Shaw, Sam Madeley and Jordan Wright.
Also unavailable are Niall Cummins — suspended after being sent off at Brackley — and Oliver Thornley who picked up an injury in training. Jonathan Hunt is 50/50 with a groin strain.
On the plus side, Paul Marshall has recovered from a hamstring strain.
STALYBRIDGE CELTIC face Altrincham in an Evo-stik premier division game they have been forced to stage by the league. The NPL insisted on the fixture being brought forward from its original date of December 16 — a move that has cost the Bower Fold club thousands in lost sponsorship.
There is a new addition to the Bridge squad in the shape of striker Edmilson Neves De Celta, who has been training with the reserves after moving to England from Portugal where he was with Lisbon-based lower-league club Bobadelense.
Boss Steve Burr will be without long-term injury victims Matty Wolfenden and Joe Garvin. Skipper Danny Morton serves the second instalment of his three-game suspension after his straight red card in the 4-1 defeat at Witton.
Liam Tomsett returns for ASHTON UNITED who welcome struggling Hednesford to Hurst Cross.
In what manager Jody Banim calls a massive blow, the midfielder missed Tuesday’s home defeat by Workington through suspension.
Banim said: “We really missed Liam’s energy because it was a game where our shortage of players became apparent. We looked a little bit tired.
“Even so, I was disappointed to lose, especially after our win at Nantwich set us up so nicely. But Workington came to stop us and hit us on the counter-attack. We conceded a poor goal and never looked like scoring after that.”
Rick Smith has joined Atherton LR for a month to gain match fitness. The midfielder missed a large portion of pre-season and has been injured for most of the season-proper.
Speaking of tomorrow’s opponents, Hednesford, Banim commented: “They’re not where I thought they would be after the first game of the season. They’ve taken some heavy defeats and it looks a winnable match for us if we play to our potential.”
DROYLSDEN have named a couple of new signings and are hoping to secure another two as they prepare to take on Tadcaster Albion at the Butchers Arms in the Evo-stik NPL first division north.
Modou Cham is a former Blackburn Rovers and Clitheroe winger, and centre-half John Shaw comes in from Marine.
Luke Daly and Danny Hall are suspended following their red cards against Glossop, and Liam Caddick and Callum Bagshaw are doubtful.
Jamie Frost and Steve Hall both return to the squad as the Bloods look to win again after two consecutive defeats.
GLOSSOP NORTH END travel to Atherton Collieries hoping to make it six victories on the bounce.
Dale Johnson (back) and Matty Russell (hamstring) are both unable to play and Lewis Lacy is at a family wedding. Ben Deegan is 50/50. Gary Gee is seeing a specialist in the morning but is likely to be on the subs’ bench.
Simon Lenighan and Billy Hasler-Cregg have been released.
Caldon Henson returns for MOSSLEY, away to Clitheroe, after missing Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat at Ossett Town which was decided by a 90th-minute penalty.