Barton Town Old Boys manager Dave Anderson is relishing his side’s FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie with Abbey Hey
Dave Anderson admits Barton Town Old Boys’ FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round home tie with Abbey Hey “is a step into the unknown”, but he’s relishing the occasion.
The Manchester-based team sit bottom of the North West Counties Premier Division, but have played three more games than Barton as the Toolstation NCEL started a week later.
Anderson told Non League Yorkshire: “The FA Cup from the club’s point of view has the financial rewards so it is a big day.
“I’m pleased to get a home game and that’s important and I think that’s half the battle.
“There’s not pressure on the players, it’s more about enjoyment of playing in the FA Cup.
“We have a young side and it is about having the privilege of playing in the FA Cup because it is a world renown competition.
“Saturday is a step into the unknown and it will be difficult.
“Abbey Hey started a week earlier than in the North West Counties.
“They will have played four league games compared to our one so they will be better prepared.
“But, I’m sure if you speak to other managers, playing a team who are a step into the unknown is a bit exciting because it’s a different challenge.”
Barton, who finished last season as runners-up in the Premier Division, lost their opening fixture to Thackley last season.
Whilst not concerned at the bigger picture, Anderson admitted it just wasn’t his team’s day.
“I think if we were still playing now, we wouldn’t have won,” he said.
“It was a typical first game of the season.
“We dominated for 80 minutes, but Thackley had a good ten minutes and were able to score twice.
“We found ourselves chasing the game. On another day, we could have won by four or five, but we didn’t take our chances.
“I think it is the first time in more than two years that we have conceded more than two goals at home.
“I have said to the players that the league isn’t won in the first two months and that’s important.”
Anderson has also expressed concern at his club’s schedule.
If Barton win tomorrow, his side will end the month having played just Thackley and Handsworth Parramore in the league.
A further win in the illustrious competition would get them to mid-September with just four Premier Division games under their belts.
Anderson said: “Our fixture list came out and I was a bit surprised we had no midweek game (this week).
“We get to the end of August having played just two league games so we could well to go to Tadcaster (on September 5) having just played two league games.
“We could turn out to play Thackley, Handsworth, Taddy and then play away at Shaw Lane (in our first four league games by mid-September).
“I expected a fixture pile-up in the first two months, but we haven’t got that.
“Last year the games were coming thick and fast. Having that said, it may help us in the long run.
“The important thing is to be in and around the top places at Christmas.”