HINCKLEY United are at full strength for the trip to Nene Park to face Rushden and Diamonds in the FA Cup First Round Proper tomorrow, determined to cause an upset. (3pm)

The Knitters trained last night and manager Dean Thomas reported no injury problems and he has a full compliment of players after James Mace served his three match suspension.

After an impressive points tally was picked up last weekend to leave the club sitting in ninth place and unable to be overtaken in the league this weekend, the unity of the squad was clear for all to see.

Thomas has managed the club to FA Cup upsets in the past over higher opposition, and already this season Histon from the same division as Rushden have fallen by the wayside.

And with a further £18,000 in prize money to play for to add to the £25,000 plus gate monies already in the pot, there is everything to play for come 3pm tomorrow afternoon.

Thomas said: "We had a good training session and everyone is focussed on the task in hand and what we want to achieve tomorrow afternoon.

"The run we have had already has captured the town which is excellent but we want it to continue.

"When the draw was made maybe it wasn't the most appealing but it is a game we can go and get a result from and that is what we intend to do tomorrow.

"We are the underdogs - but we are going to Rushden not to make up the numbers."

The players will all meet for a pre match brunch before travelling together to the match.

Andy Hall who lives just minutes from the Rushden ground is travelling to Hinckley in the morning to join the players for the pre match briefing before travelling back to Nene Park on the team coach - a sign of the preparation and focus of the Hinckley United squad and management.

Thomas added: "We want to go there prepared in the right manner with the players focussed and put on a display that will make the supporters proud.

"We know there are a few coaches going which is excellent from the club and then there are all the mini buses and cars making the trip and a big thanks to every one of them.

"The magic of the FA Cup is there already for us all to see and we certainly don't want it to end."

Mascot Nobby The Knitter will be making the trip to Nene Park.

HINCKLEY UNITED (from): Mackenzie, Mace, Collins, Franklin, Giddings, Lavery, Hall, Gooding, Dillon, Webster, West, Eribenne, Cartwright, Lister, Taylor, Hamilton, Roberts, Hinds, Storer

Click here for the Rushden and Diamonds view on the game.

CLUB AND SUPPORTERS COACHES

The bar at Hinckley United will be open from 11.30am for supporters wanting to have a beer before they travel to Nene Park. The coaches leave at 1pm. All the coaches are full.

 

TICKETS

Tickets are priced at £10 for Adults, and £5 for Concessions, which includes Senior Citizens (aged over 60), and those over the age of 16 who are still in full-time education (with a valid NUS card) on either seated or terraced seats. Tickets for juniors - under 16 - are £2. No tickets will be sold in advance and it will be a pay on the gate fixture. Programmes will be priced at £3. 

 

CAR PARKING

Nene Park provides over 1,000 parking spaces, which are priced at £3 for cars, £5 for mini buses, and £10 for coaches. These are filled on a first come first served basis, and although Nene Park has extensive CCTV coverage, Northamptonshire Police advise drivers not to leave valuables on display.

 

SUPPORTERS AREA

The game will be segregated with Hinckley United fans given the South Stand and asked to enter the ground via entrance K and L. Rushden and Diamonds have agreed to reduce their normal admission charges for the fixture to try and boost the gate.

 

FOOD AND DRINK AT NENE PARK

There is a snack bar in the concourse of the South Stand where fans can enjoy a drink and some food. Alternatively fans can purchase food and drink in the clubhouse - Strikers Bar. Above Striker's Bar in the Kimberley Suite, there will be a choice of home made Shepherd's Pie or Sausages in onion gravy with vegetables and potatoes for £7.50. Both venues have large screen TVs showing live sport.

 

REPLAY DETAILS

If a replay is required it will take place at the Greene King Stadium on Tuesday November 17^th.  Admission will be £10 for adults, £6 for concessions, £3 for 12 to 16s and under 12s will be £1. 

 

REFEREES AND OFFICIALS

Mr RJ Wigglesworth will be the man in the middle on Saturday, ably assisted by C Fitch and N Wilde.

 

THE PRIZE

£18,000 is the cash prize to the winners of Saturday's game (draw number 34) and a place in the Second Round Proper. The draw is made on Sunday from Wembley after the game between Northwich Victoria and Charlton Athletic live on ITV1 at 3.30pm.