Yaxley plot potential FA Cup run

Yaxley Chairman Malcolm Clements admits that the doubling of prize money in this season’s FA Cup brings an increased sense of importance to the competition for Non-League clubs.
“Playing in the FA Cup is always special” said Clements, “but this season the prospect of progressing means even more to us.”
“It would be a major coup if we can get through a few more rounds and it would allow us to bring about big improvements at the club.”
The overall prize fund for the competition has increased to £30.2 million this season and Yaxley face the prospect of a windfall to the tune of almost £3000 if they prevail in their Preliminary Round match at Daventry Town tomorrow.
“From a financial perspective it is a pretty crucial game but we are really looking forward to it” said Clements.
“After achieving promotion to Step 4 last season, we were told that we needed a new 50-seater stand to meet the ground grading, so any prize money we receive will be ploughed into funding that.”
The club’s captain Ross Watson insists that while the financial benefit increases the importance of tomorrow’s game, his side must not let any added pressure get to them.
“The prize money is a real bonus for teams at our level but we have got to treat the match as just another game” explained Watson.
“We can’t let ourselves get nervous and I know that if we play our natural game we can produce the kind of free flowing football that is needed to progress into the next round.
“The FA Cup from the very first stage right through to the final is an absolutely fantastic competition to be a part of and it is capable of creating special memories.”
Meanwhile, Yaxley boss Andy Furnell is keen for his side to take inspiration from the likes of Hyde United and Slough who both progressed into the First Round Proper of the competition last season.
“I told the lads, if you get the draw in your favour and end up with a number of home ties then anything is possible and you can end up surprising yourselves with how far you can go” said the The Cuckoos’ boss.
“I back us to give anyone a game at home but first of all we have to go to Daventry and win this weekend, which will undoubtedly be a tricky thing to do.
“Daventry have started the season very well and they gave us a tough test when we came up against them last year but I know that the side I have here are certainly capable of winning the game.”