FA CUP fever hits Great Harwood again tomorrow (Sat) when they travel to Conference North promotion chasers Harrogate Town in the second qualifying round of the prestigious competition (ko 3pm).
The North West Counties Division Two side are the underdogs but are hoping to spring an upset - and copy Grimsby's victory over Tottenham in the Carling Cup this week.
"If Grimsby can beat Spurs why can't we beat Harrogate?" said boss John Hughes, whose side have won three rounds so far. "We know it is going to be tough and we may have to set our stall out to defend and hope to nick it in the last 20 minutes but we will just go there and give it a go. We have got a number of injuries and people missing which makes it even harder for us but it is a one-off game. We are not expected to win but it is an ideal chance for my players to be on show and put in a performance.
"We went there two years ago and lost 2-0 in the FA Cup and we should have won so maybe this is our turn."
Harwood will be without James Dean who has injured his ankle and Ryan Fisher while new signing Keiron Fletcher is cup-tied.
"To lose Ryan is a blow as he has been outstanding," said Hughes. "And the injury to James is awful for him but we have called upon a few lads like Andy Taylor and John-Paul Fagan who signed pre-season."
Harwood have been in league action twice this week, beating Cheadle on Saturday before losing 1-0 to Blackpool Mechanics on Tuesday night. There was a wonder goal in the 3-2 win at Cheadle with John Eastham smashing the ball home from 20 yards before Darren Rogers scored twice.
"We played badly on Saturday and won and then played well on Tuesday and lost. It doesn't add up," said Hughes. "But we are a good young side and we have got to keep working hard. I am happy at the moment."
Harwood play Daisy Hill at the Interlink in the league on Monday but, if they draw with Harrogate, they will face them instead (ko 7.45) on Monday.
