RUGBY Town turn their attentions back to the FA Cup this weekend when they travel to Brackley Town in the third round qualifying stage and manager James Jepson is relishing their underdog tag.
Valley will be hoping to put Saturday’s 4-2 defeat away at Sheffield behind them as they prepare to take on National League North side Brackley for the second year running in the historic competition.
Last time round they came within a whisker of a famous victory at St.James’ Park, with Brackley’s Steve Diggin grabbing a dramatic 97th minute equaliser to deny Valley a place in the final qualifying round, after Callum Powell had earlier broken the deadlock in Northamptonshire.
Dale Belford’s side lost out 2-0 in the replay at Butlin Road three days later, but not until David Kolodynski had missed a penalty with the visitors’ lead at just one goal.
This time the two sides meet a round earlier, and Rugby will be looking for a first ever win over the Saints at the 11th attempt.
Town boss Jepson – who will miss the match due to a previously arranged commitment – is confident his side will give a good account of themselves against the team two levels above them in the non-league pyramid.
“Obviously we would have preferred a home draw, but we will go there and give it our best shot,” said Jepson.
“Being the underdogs we have nothing to lose. We will fight for each other like we did in the previous round against another side in a higher division than us, and then try and play a bit when we can.
“We have a few that have played at Brackley’s level in recent years, so there’s nothing to be scared of and the pressure should all be on them.”
Jepson’s experienced assistant John Ramshaw will take charge in his absence, and they will both be hoping that Andy Hall and Darryl Thomas can shake off the injuries that ruled them out of the Sheffield outing, with Louis Hamilton another close to a return from his ongoing injury issues.
Jake Woolley serves the final match of his three game ban though and Edi Appleton is cup-tied.
One-time Valley favourites Alex Gudger and Ellis Myles are likely to start for Saturday’s hosts, having both signed for the club in the summer.
