Belper Town v Prescot Cables
The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
Third Round Qualifying
3pm, Saturday 11 October 2008
Winning clubs will receive £7,500 from The FA
Some 121 years have passed since Belper's most famous foray into The FA Cup and a narrow 3-2 home defeat by Sheffield Wednesday in the opening round of the competition.
Now, the Christchurch Meadow Club, who play their football in the Northern Premier Division One South, are hoping to book themselves a date with destiny and a place in The FA Cup First Round after an impressive start to the league season.
The 'Nailers', so-called because the craft of nail-making began in Belper during the middle ages, have lost just one of their opening six league games under the guidance of joint managers Andy Carney and Danny Hudson.
After winning the Derbyshire Senior Cup last season with victory over local rivals Alfreton Town, the two men are now targeting yet more success in cup competition.
Liverpool-based side Prescot Cables provide the opposition for Belper on Saturday, but the home side are in confident mood ahead of the clash.
"We've got a good pedigree in cup competitions after beating Alfreton last season," said Carney, who led the side to their first piece of silverware in 28 years.
"To get to the First Round of The FA Cup would be huge for the players, the club and also the town.
"The financial gains from The Cup are massive and every single penny we can get is so valuable.
"We work on a very tight budget like most clubs on our level, so it would be a huge help if we could get through.
"Belper is only a small town but we have some very passionate fans who deserve success.
"It's going to be a massive game for us and hopefully we can come out on top."
Town cruised into the Third Round Qualifying with a stunning 4-1 win over Blue Square Conference North side Redditch and Carney is now dreaming of a First Round clash against Yorkshire giants Leeds United.
"We're a very good footballing side and we always play better against higher ranked teams," added Carney.
"When you play against teams in the leagues above you, you get more space to play and we've got some good players that can hurt the opposition.
"And if we can qualify for the First Round then I'd love to face Leeds.
"I'm a Rotherham United fan so a game against Leeds would be rather tasty!"
