Hadley vs Telford - Match preview

The Bucks have a good record in the competition, winning it three times as Telford United in 1971, 1983 and 1989 as well as reaching the semi-finals twice as AFC Telford United, in 2009 and 2019.

And ahead of their trip to Hadley, who sit second in their league at the level below Telford, manager Kevin Wilkin is in no doubt that his side are in for a stern test against The Bricks.

“I know Hadley are a step down from us, but it’ll certainly be a challenge,” he admitted. “They’re doing fantastically well in their division; they have some really capable players and clearly have beaten clubs at our level already.”

Wilkin added: “There are players there that are on an upward curve and will probably progress to play at levels beyond ours, so we won’t be going there thinking it’ll be anything other than a really tough game.”

Despite being an experienced and well-travelled campaigner in non-league football, the Bucks boss also revealed Saturday will be his first encounter with Hadley, and manager Anthony Clarke.

“I don’t know a great deal about them, so I’ve had to do my background research on them and have spoken to many people about what to expect,” Wilkin said. “I’ve managed to get a little bit of footage on them and am endeavouring to get a bit more.

“They’re a step four club heading in the right direction, and you only have to look at who they’ve overcome in previous rounds, as well as their league position, and the players in their ranks to understand what they’ve got going on there.”

Wilkin also admitted that the incentive to progress in the competition increases as the rounds go on, albeit without being as financially beneficial as the FA Cup, which Telford were knocked out of at the earliest possible opportunity this season.

“I know people look at the prize money, but with the greatest respect it’s not the FA Cup, and that’s the competition you want to make progress in to benefit financially,” Wilkin said. “That does bring serious money into clubs, as we’ve seen with some of the clubs at our level.”

He added: “Any money is always welcome, but it’s not as financially driven as the FA Cup might be.

“Our bread and butter is obviously achieving success in the league and getting as high up the pyramid as possible, but the Trophy can offer a nice distraction.”

The Bucks are expected to field a depleted squad tomorrow afternoon, with four first teamers unavailable.

Alex Gudger (groin) and Ellis Myles (knee) will miss the game through injury, while Jordan Cranston and Reece Styche are both cup-tied.

A request for under-18 players to step up has been made by Kevin Wilkin, but they too are short on players.

Archie Elsdon and Harvey Solley both have first-team experience, but could miss out on fitness grounds.

Bucks:

Hall (GK)

Jones (RB)

Whittall (CB)

Pendley (CB)

Piggott (LB)

Storer (DM)

Walker (CM)

Armson (CM)

Hilton (RW)

Stenson (ST)

Dinanga (LW)

Subs: Moore, Brown

Hadley: Ward (GK), Alfieri, Gbio, Ferguson, Massingham, Rosemin, Hayes, Stones, Edwards, McGettigan, Gould