Warrington Town manager Mark Beesley is eyeing an FA Cup run as his side travel to fellow Northern Premier League Premier side Morpeth Town in the First Round Qualifying.
On Saturday, they travel to the North East to face Morpeth Town in, what will be, their first outing in this season’s competition.
It won’t be the first meeting between the two side’s after the Yellows ran out winners in their opening day meeting.
They had to wait 89 minutes to opening the scoring against the Highwaymen as Isaac Buckley-Ricketts put Warrington Town in front. Minutes later, Jordan Buckley doubled their lead and rubber-stamped the victory.
Beesley is hopeful his side can reenact the heroics of 2014 when they beat Exeter City to reach the Second Round proper.
Discussing Morpeth Town, he told Off The Park: “They’re very good at home, got some good players, it was a close the first game of the season.
“We’re expecting a very tough game, they’ve had a good run, done well in their six games. I think it will be relatively tight, probably we couldn’t have got a tougher draw.
“It’s a cup game, you want to progress – we all do. It will be the same message continue what we’ve been doing, do the right things, what we work on, what we need to be better at and continue that message really.
“I think it brings some prestige and highlights the club. The club had a good run before I joined five years ago, it massively helped the club progress to where it is now.
“Any type of FA Cup run, it opens up the club publicity wise across the country. I think everyone in non-league dreams of an FA Cup run and that magical tie to get on tele, a big club or the first round, I think everyone in non-league looks for that.”
The Yellows boss was left frustrated following their defeat to Ashton United on Saturday as Beesley felt his side should’ve claimed the points.
“We played really well, to me we should’ve won – we had that many chances. The only criticism would be that need to be more ruthless in front of goal but we’ve controlled the game and give away two goals through individual errors which can happen at any time.
“In terms of response, I don’t think it was needed because we played well it was just more of the same, be ruthless at both ends and it will make the difference. Thankfully on Monday we got what we deserved, I didn’t think it was going to be our day again but managed one to get one in near the end.
“Sometimes if you create loads of chances but not finish them then it’s a good sign but if you’re not creating the chances that’s when it becomes worrying.
“When you create that many chances, you’re hitting the post, hitting the bar, missing one-on-ones, they’re great chances – they’re not half chances or should’ve done better.
“I think we’ve got to keep doing what we’ve been doing and be a little bit more ruthless and clinical in front of goal but also avoid giving away silly goals that we’ve given away in the last couple of games.”
He had Isaac Buckley-Ricketts to thank for his part in their win over Nantwich Town. And the Town manager discussed the secret behind his good start to the campaign.
Beesley added: “He’s done well, in pre-season he got himself fit. We said to him at the end of last year it was unfortunate he didn’t play much at Southport and we got him probably not having played much for six months so it’s hard for him to come in and have an impact when you haven’t played for that long.
“It was important he had a good pre-season, we gave him a lot more minutes than normal because it was important he got going again and got that stiffness out early doors. He’s started the season well and he’s been impressive.”
