Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley believes his players have nothing to lose in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie with AFC Telford. Picture: Caught Light Photography
Spennymoor Town manager Jason Ainsley is urging his players to seize the moment in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie with AFC Telford United.
Spennymoor have battled their way past Tadcaster Albion, Bishop Auckland, Dunston and Ashton to put themselves one game away from a potential first round clash with the likes of Bradford City and Sheffield United.
The 2012 FA Vase winners face a mammoth task at home against the Conference Premier outfit to make history.
When asked on how reaching the first round for the first time would compare to winning the Vase, Ainsley told Non League Yorkshire: “The Vase win was something special.
“It’s a great question because the early games in the FA Cup were all about earning the club some money.
“This round and the last round is all about the players doing a bit of justice and getting themselves on Match of the Day which is a possibility.
“It is a big game and it will be a big test. For me, getting to the first round proper of the FA Cup will rank alongside getting to the Vase final.
“The game tomorrow is the first game in the FA Cup where we haven’t got anything to lose.
“A lot of people expected us to beat Ashton which for me was totally disrespectful because they are a top side.
“Tomorrow is all about enjoying the occasion and why not. There’s only one team who can go to the first round proper and why can’t it be us.”
Spennymoor have made a positive start to the life in the Evo Stik Division One North.
From a Yorkshire perspective, Spennymoor have played Ossett Town, Harrogate Railway and Brighouse Town.
Ainsley, who also assessed his own side’s aims, says he has been impressed with the Yorkshire sides.
“They (Yorkshire teams) are very organised and they do their homework,” he said.
“The managers know their stuff and they respect the opposition.
“That’s the way it has got to be. The criticism for us in the Northern League last year was that we just had to turn up and win games.
“This year you have to do a lot more homework. It was good to see John Reed at Ossett and funnily enough, he tried to sign me at Harrogate years ago.
“It’s a big challenge for us this year because it is definitely a step-up. Northern League teams on their day can beat teams in the Evo Stik.
“But its that consistency and that is what we have got to get used to.
“We need to be in the play-offs and after Christmas we need to push on.
“We want a good run in the Trophy and obviously we have had a good run in the FA Cup and we play Telford at home tomorrow.
“We’re going along quite nicely. We need to make sure we are still in the hunt come Christmas.”