Stocksbridge Park Steels manager Chris Hilton knows his side face a mammoth task in the FA Trophy tomorrow
Stocksbridge Park Steels manager Chris Hilton admits that it will take some effort for his side to beat holders North Ferriby United in the FA Trophy tomorrow.
Stocksbridge have been drawn away from home in each of the four rounds so far and had to beat top sides like Clitheroe, Northwich Victoria and Ilkeston FC.
Now National League North side Ferriby provide the ultimate test.
Asked what went through his head when he saw another away tie, Hilton quipped: “I thought ‘thanks very much, cheers for that, any chance of a home draw’?
“Northwich was a fantastic test for us and to beat Ilkeston was fantastic, but North Ferriby is a different level.
“They are two leagues above and obviously it is a away draw again, but we are good away from home.
“We’ll embrace it, we’ll go with a game-plan again and we’ll see what we can get.
“We have nothing to lose because we’re underdogs, again.
“We’re going to have to work hard, get our shape and get a bit of luck if we are going to get something.”
“We have done really well to get where we are because we have had to beat Clitheroe away, Northwich away and then beat Ilkeston in the replay after drawing away from home.
Hilton also gets a reunion with his old manager Billy Heath, the Ferriby boss. Hilton was Heath’s skipper at Frickley in the late 2000s.
Hilton added: “I know Billy really well because I was his captain at Frickley for three years.
“I had a good relationship with him and I’m looking forward to seeing him and his assistant Bobby (Carroll).”