Ken McKenna: AFC Telford are always up for cup

When the Bucks host Leyton Orient in their FA Trophy semi-final second leg tomorrow, they will be hoping a hero can emerge to send them to Wembley.

That’s a part McKenna played to perfection in 1988-89 as Telford overcame Hyde in the last four before going on to defeat Macclesfield Town in the final.

McKenna struck the winner as the Bucks won the away leg 1-0, and netted again in a 3-0 victory in Shropshire.

“I was all right in the semi-finals, it was just in the final I was no good!” said McKenna, who suffered the agony of missing out on playing at the national stadium through suspension.

“The build-up with the chance to go to Wembley was tremendous.

“We got a reasonable result in the away leg and it was great coming home in front of our own fans and putting in a good performance.

“We used to get decent crowds for the cup games and the home leg was great. We were a good cup team around that time and on our day we were a match for anyone.”

Bucks are expecting a capacity crowd for the clash with the National League leaders. And McKenna, who went on to manage The New Saints and is now assistant to Morecambe boss Jim Bentley, knows how big a role the supporters can play.

“The Bucks Head is a good ground and when the fans get behind them it’s a terrific atmosphere,” added the 58-year-old.

“Over the years they’ve had their problems and the gates have dwindled, but the atmosphere at the Bucks Head is amazing.

“When we beat Darlington in the FA Cup it was one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever played in front of, it was superb.

“When we went to Goodison Park in ‘85 we took 15,000 fans, so that just tells you how big a club it could be. It was one of the biggest followings that they’d seen at Everton.

“Myself and Jim haven’t had a chance to watch them this year but they are doing well. It’s a good club and they’re geared up to do well, so long may it continue.

“They’re 1-0 down and you’ve got to go for it and get a goal, but I think they have got a good chance.

“It would be great for the club if they could do it and help put them back on the map. It’s a club that, with the right backing, could achieve anything. It’s going to be a tough game because Orient are top of the Conference, but the thing is to stay in the game. They don’t have to go mad chasing that goal, it’s important not to concede early.”

Midfielder Ellis Deeney is available after missing the Brisbane Road clash through suspension. Adam Dawson, Marcus Dinanga and Josef Bursik are cup-tied.

Boss Gavin Cowan is delighted to see his side being backed by a bumper crowd as they aim to win the competition for a fourth time.

“We spoke a lot about bringing the support back from when I played for the club and we’ve done it,” he said. “It’s been there for a few months now to be fair and I’m really proud to be the manager of this football club.

“What I hope is that it’s here to stay as well.

“Of course, we’re all enjoying this together, but hopefully, we can stick together for when times aren’t so great.

“The support has been amazing, so we just want to make sure it stays that way come rain or shine.”

The opposition view:

Leyton Orient head coach Justin Edinburgh says the chance to play in a Wembley final will ensure no complacency creeps into his team ahead of the FA Trophy semi-final second leg at AFC Telford United.

The O’s know a draw at New Bucks Head tomorrow will be enough to see the National League table-toppers remain on course for a ‘non-league double’.

Only three teams have clinched the FA Trophy title and won the National League in the same campaign, but Edinburgh’s team are hoping to become the fourth come May 19. “Wembley is a huge prize. We may never get another opportunity to play, support or manage a team at Wembley, so there is no bigger incentive,” Edinburgh said.

Although Orient have a one-goal advantage after their semi-final first leg, the other clash between AFC Fylde and Stockport County remains goalless ahead of the next leg at Edgeley Park. O’s won’t worry about that for the time being though, given how tough Telford made things for them in east London last weekend.

Macauley Bonne could have found the net more than once, but the away side had some moments towards the end of the tie which will give them belief.

Telford have FA Trophy pedigree too and although it was under their old guise as Telford United when they won the competition three times, they will look to call upon that history when National League leaders Orient visit.

“Nothing was won or lost. We will focus on ourselves. We have had a good look at each other now and we will go there with a slight advantage,” Edinburgh added.

“The teams in the league below are always very competitive. They played their shape well and were a threat. We’re going to have to be as good as we were in the first leg to make sure we get through the tie.”

Orient will have to check on the fitness of numerous players ahead of the tie with striker Jay Simpson unavailable last weekend following a slight hamstring injury.

Left-back Joe Widdowson missed out with a minor knee issue too, but Edinburgh will hope to be able to call upon the duo at New Bucks Head if required.