Pressure of for Bassett ahead of Friday night derby (From Swindon Advertiser)

Pressure of for Bassett ahead of Friday night derby

6:02pm Thursday 6th September 2012 in Sport By Andy Warren

Bassett boss Dave Turner wants to use the underdog tag to their advantage again as they host rivals Highworth in a mouth-watering FA Cup first qualifying round tie this evening, writes ANDY WARREN.

Turner’s team will be looking to make history as Bassett have never reached the second qualifying round, and have battled against the odds so far in the competition this season having beaten higher division sides Calne Town and Hamworthy United to reach this stage.

Turner admits Hellenic Premier side Highworth will go into the game as favourites, but believes a big crowd at Rylands Way will prove a leveller tonight.

“We have done really well to reach this stage and have beaten some good sides, so we don’t mind being the underdogs, and maybe it suits us,” he said.

“We are all really looking forward to this game now and it should be a good occasion with a big crowd, and that could help us on the night.

“The FA Cup is a great competition and it would be great to go further in it, and we have a very specific plan as to how to beat them, and hopefully it will come off.”

Highworth boss John Fisher rested a number of first team players for the club’s FA Vase game at Calne on Wednesday, and he is hoping the fresh legs will help his side pick up the victory, and the £3,200 prize money.

“This is the FA Cup so it is very important, that is for sure, and £3,200 would do a lot of good for our budget at the club,” he said. “This game would have been big whenever it was played because it is a local derby, but to have it in the FA Cup adds even more pressure to the game and it means a lot more.

“I would rather be playing someone we don’t really know anything about, but Dave has put a good side together that is for sure, and they have some players there who should be playing at a higher level than they are.

“We go into the game as the favourites because we are in a higher division, and there is no point in denying that, but it will be a tough game and we will have to be at our best to get anything out of it.”

The game kicks off at 7.45pm with tickets £5 for adults and £2 for concessions.