Coventry Sphinx v Stafford Rangers
FA Cup sponsored by E.ON 2nd Qualifying Round
Saturday 26th September 3.00pm at Sphinx Drive
Coventry Sphinx manager Danny McSheffrey leads his team into the FA Cup 2nd Qualifying round at home tomorrow insisting that his players have the desire and qualities to cause a massive upset against their higher level opponents.
Blue Square North Stafford Rangers arrive at Sphinx Drive three levels above Midland Alliance Sphinx and McSheffrey is keen to emphasize to his young team that they can make history once again for the Siddeley Avenue club saying, "Once again we are massive underdogs as we were against Stourport and Rushall in the previous rounds. Being underdogs is something that I quite like as it takes the pressure off us but also means that there is a challenge to both myself and the players. We are going to have to be on top of our game but if we play to our maximum then we will be a match for Stafford and I know we can cause them problems"
McSheffrey had Stafford watched last Saturday in their 4-1 away win at Harrogate and with Rangers manager Chris Brindley watching Sphinx romp to a 4-1 home win against Studley on Tuesday all the signs are that it will be an open game.
New signing Ramon Manak will keep his place in the squad following his impressive debut on Tuesday as will youngster Josh Ruff whilst McSheffrey also adds new striker Michael Martin to his 18 man squad saying, "The new signings have fitted in really well and will provide different qualities to what we already have and with Callum Woodward and Adrian Fisher suspended and a couple facing fitness tests we needed to strengthen and I'm delighted and very optimistic that we can be in the hat on Monday"
Kick off is 3pm at Sphinx Drive and with both clubs having agreed on the pricing to be kept as low as possible a large attendance is anticipated. Admission will be £6 adults and £3 concessions with Under 16's admitted free of charge.
Squad from: O'Neil, Donaldson, Daffern, Goodbody, Mead, Holmes, McAteer, Murdock, Ruff, Phillips, Rhodes, Kay, Smith, Martin, Manak, Stevenson, Ward, Muldoon