Gainsborough Trinity welcome National League side Hartlepool United tomorrow as they hope to reach the FA Cup first round for the second year running.
Last season the Holy Blues reached the second round proper for the first time in 72 years after beating National League side Boston United at this same stage
That “magical” cup run, as described by manager Russ Wilcox, saw them eliminated by Sky Bet League Two side Harrogate Town after being defeated 1-0 in a televised fixture.
However, Wilcox’s side face a tough test to reach the same stage again as they face up against a team that was relegated from the Football League just three seasons ago.
However, the Pools have found life in non-league tough since relegation in 2023, having drawn six of their first 14 games so far this season.
That combined with four wins along the way has left Simon Grayson’s side currently in 12th place, where they finished in their first season back in non-league football.
They are however, currently winless in three games having recently lost out to York City and Carlisle United before being held to a draw against recently promoted Tamworth.
The Holy Blues on the other hand recently ended an eight-game unbeaten run when they lost out to Hednesford Town three weeks ago.
That 2-0 loss was just their third of the season as they also lost out to Ashton United and current promotion challengers Warrington Rylands within the first three games of the season.
It has been a similar story to reach this stage of the FA Cup, with the Holy Blues seeing off Corby Town 2-1.
That came before they faced off against fellow Northern Premier League Premier Division sides Rushall Olympic and Dunston UTS, defeating those sides by the same scoreline.
However, with National League sides only entering the competition at this Fourth Qualifying Round, the Pools are yet to feature in the worlds oldest football competition this campaign.
Trinity striker and top-goal scorer Jonny Margetts has said that Gainsborough will go into the game with “no fear” as they face a team two divisions higher.
The forward has managed the seemingly impossible job of replacing the goals of Declan Howe and he said: “The way I see it, why can’t we beat them.
“We’ve got to go in with no fear and take it as a chance to show what we can do; it’s the FA Cup anything can happen.”
The 32-year-old has only ever made one appearance in the proper rounds of the FA Cup, and it came in the Quarter-final, at the Emirates Stadium while he was playing for Lincoln City.
Speaking on the NPL Show, the forward said: “I think this year if we can have a really good run and beat Hartlepool, I would personally feel more of an achievement than playing against Arsenal.
“We know what position they’re in; they’re two leagues higher but they’re not in the best form at the minute. It’s a free hit for us; we’re in a great spot and hopefully we can carry playing the same way we have done.”
Last years victory against Hednesford in the first round was the first time the Holy Blues had reached that stage in seven years.
With the club already seeing the benefits of that cup run, Wilcox will be hoping his side can make that a habit and reach the competition for the second year running.