We look ahead to Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup clash with Grimsby Town at Aggborough…
By Matty Paddock - 05/11/2021
Posted 4 years ago
HARRIERS make their first appearance in the FA Cup First Round proper in four years on Saturday when they welcome high-flying National League side Grimsby to Aggborough.
After several seasons of misery in the world’s most famous cup competition – and The FA Trophy for that matter – the Reds have finally found some joy in 2021/22.
Victories against Sporting Khalsa, Ware and Bedfont Sports – all away from home – have led to the home tie with the Mariners, who are pushing hard for a return to the Football League.
They’re having a good season of it, too – despite having lost their last two games, tremendous form prior to that sees them sitting comfortably in and amongst the promotion contenders, just a point off the top.
Among their many league wins this term has been a success against another title favourite in Wrexham, and a 6-0 storming of Dover Athletic.
Town earned their First Round spot just a few miles from Aggborough, thumping Bromsgrove Sporting 5-0 at the fourth and final qualifying stage.
“It’s a different challenge and a challenge we’re going to enjoy,” boss Russ Penn told our YouTube channel ahead of the tie.
“It’s a challenge we believe we can win. It’s the FA Cup and it’s a great occasion… it’s a game we have to believe in and if we play the way we know we can, we’ll be a match for anyone.
“[I have] respect for Paul Hurst and what he’s done in the managerial game.. they’re a big football club, as we know with the following they’ll brig on Saturday.
“But it is about us, really – we have got to be proactive, we’ve got to be entertaining, like we have been, and we’ve got to enjoy the occasion.”
Penn will be without the suspended Geraldo Bajrami for the tie, with Lewis Montrose, Cliff Moyo and Joe Foulkes the injury absentees.
This tie comes on the back of notable home triumphs for the men from Aggborough, who put Bradford (Park Avenue) (5-1) and Spennymoor Town (4-0) to the sword over the course of the last two Saturdays.
Harriers fans are reminded that there is no longer the facility to pay cash at the turnstiles at Aggborough. You can still pay on the day of the game at the Ticket Office (including in cash) but your best bet is to purchase in advance of the day if you can – as this will also potentially save you some queueing!
You can do so online via our ticketing platform or, if you need assistance, by calling 01562 823 931 during opening hours.
Again, it is still possible to buy your tickets at the Ticket Office (up to 15 minutes after kick-off), but you can’t pay cash at the turnstile.
Grimsby fans have the opportunity to purchase tickets directly from Grimsby before 3pm on Friday – but this tie is all ticket for away supporters, who cannot purchase on the day.
Wherever you are around Aggborough on Saturday, don’t miss out on our FA Cup match programme, which features a look at Alex Penny’s run in the first team with thoughts from the defender and the boss; extensive match photos and reports, a full FA Cup First Round preview and more. The Harrier is on sale around the ground and in the Club Shop for £3.
Kick-off at Aggborough is at 3:00pm on Saturday.
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