Hornchurch boss ready for Blundell Park.
Grimsby Town v AFC Hornchurch
The FA Carlsberg Trophy
Second Round Proper
3pm, Saturday 14 January 2012
Blundell Park, Grimsby Town FC
Winning clubs receive £6000 from The FA's prize fund
Click here for fixtures
Isthmian side AFC Hornchurch face Grimsby Town in Second Round Proper of The FA Trophy on Saturday, after dramatically overcoming Farnborough of the Conference South in the last round.
Hornchurch came from behind to beat Farnborough 3-2 in a replay in the First Round to set up a tie with the Mariners and manager Jimmy McFarlane says his experienced players will need to coach through the youngsters in this big occasion.
"Some of them will, but we have Tommy Black, who played in the Champions League for Arsenal and Jonathan Hunt has played 200 games in the Football League for Birmingham and Derby so I've got some players with pedigree but for the younger guys it will be a great experience," he told TheFA.com.
Hornchurch are two divisions below the Conference but this has not stopped McFarlane dreaming of taking his team all the way to Wembley.
"I'd like to go The Final," he added. "Sides from our league have done it, I remember a few years ago Grays Athletic did it. You need a little bit of luck but ultimately you need a good side but we certainly won't be going there fearing it and giving it a go."
Hornchurch currently sit top of the Isthmian League, boasting a record of just one defeat in their last ten away league games this season, though McFarlane says they would have much preferred to have the Second Round tie at home.
"For financial reasons, for a club of our size, we would have rather stayed at home because it will cost us a few quid to travel," McFarlane admitted.
"We certainly do seem to play better away from home, the better the pitch, the better we play at the moment and I'm sure Grimsby will be lovely."
The FATV cameras will be at Blundell Park for the game, so make sure you check out the highlights on Sunday.
