Maltby Main joint manager Spencer Fearn hopes his side can pull off a major Emirates FA Cup upset
Spencer Fearn hopes his Maltby Main players can seize the moment and pull off an Emirates FA Cup upset of huge magnitude.
Maltby are all set for the biggest game at Muglet Lane for some time when Evo Stik Premier Division side Frickley Athletic visit for the First Qualifying Round tie.
Maltby have already pulled off shock victories in the Preliminary Rounds, but a home win would be a major shock.
A large crowd is expected and joint manager Fearn, who shares the role with Mark Askwith, is hopeful his side can rise to occasion.
Fearn told Non League Yorkshire: “The game has captured the imagination locally, so I’m sure we will get 300+ and with it being a Yorkshire derby I would imagine Frickley will bring a good number.
“Muglet Lane is not one of the let’s say better grounds Frickley will play at, but we love playing there and we have seen a sharp increase in fans attending this season so hopefully with their backing we can give them a positive result.
“It is a very big game for the club. It has been a while since we have had visitors from this high up in the pyramid at Muglet Lane for a competitive game. There is a real buzz about the place and we are all looking forward to Saturday.
“Maltby have only reached the second qualifying round four times in their history and have not reached the second qualifying round for ten years, so it’s a great opportunity for the lads to write their names in the Maltby history books.
“Frickley are a very good side and in the Evo Stik Premier so we are under no illusions of how difficult the game will be.
“As you would expect we have watched them and were impressed. However, on our day we are capable of giving anyone a game and we have a set of lads who will run through brick walls for each other.
“I have been involved in football a number of years and the spirit in this dressing room is without doubt on of the best I have experienced as they are a bunch of hardworking and honest lads.
“When Saturday arrives I know that everyone at Maltby Main will be giving their all.”
Although the new season is still relatively young, both sides have enjoyed good starts when compared recent years.
Frickley have surprised many by occupying a play-offs spot, while Maltby have only lost once in the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division and beaten Ashton Athletic and 1874 Northwich in the FA Cup.
Attendances are quickly rising at Muglet Lane and Fearn added: “The FA Cup run has been great.
“We have played some difficult games away from home against some of the more fancied teams in the North West Premier and secured some positive results.
“The away trips have also been good for team spirit. It has been nice for Maltby to get through a few rounds and we don’t want it to end on Saturday.
“We will go into the game as massive underdogs, but we have been there before as underdogs in the last two rounds.
“Our last home game against Ashton Athletic is one that I will certainly never forget.
“To come back from two goals down against a very good side and win 3-2 was a remarkable achievement and epitomises the spirit within this group of players.
“The trip to 1874 Northwich is one we made as underdogs, but it was without doubt our performance of the season so far.
“To win 2-1 at one of the leading sides in the North West Counties was yet again a great result and very well deserved.”
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