Tamworth next in Rovers firing line

TAMWORTH arrive at the Victoria Ground for the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round this Saturday knowing that the five teams before them have shipped 22 goals between them.

Free-scoring Bromsgrove Rovers, in the middle of the finest start to a season for more than a decade, have seen off all their visitors in September with some superb attacking displays.

Barwell went down 4-3 in the FA Cup Preliminary Round and four days later Clevedon Town were thrashed 5-1 by Gary Hackett and Jon Ford's side.

Gresley Rovers were on the receiving end of a 5-0 scoreline in the FA Cup on Saturday, September 14, while last Saturday Cirencester Town were sent back down the M5 with a 5-1 defeat.

Stourport Swifts are the latest team to leave the Victoria Ground empty handed, losing 3-0 last night (Tuesday).

And Rovers are in no mood to let up their firepower as they attempt to set the record straight with the Dr Martens Premier division outfit.

The two sides met at the same stage of the competition last year and drew 2-2 before Tamworth won the replay 1-0.

Hackett said: "I think we fancy our chances against anyone. We didn't play as well as we can against Cirencester but things are going for us at the moment."

Just one look down the list of Rovers' scorers should be enough to make Tamworth think twice as Les Palmer has scored seven while Richard Burgess has five to his name.

As if that wasn't enough, the midfield is coming up with its fair share of goals with James Dyson appearing on the score sheet four times and Kevin Banner three times. There are also two for Mark Benbow.

Hackett added: "We are sharing the goals around. We had four different scorers against Cirencester which is great.

The management also believes there is more to come from Rovers, in all areas.

Ford said: "We are not firing on all cylinders. It's not perfect. It's nice to win 5-1 and we can do better."

"I was a bit disappointed in the way we conceded the goal against Cirencester."

Results at the Victoria Ground are also rubbing off on the fans who are beginning to return in their droves.

Chairman Tom Herbert saw 732 through the gates in the last round against Gresley and a bumper four-figure gate is expected on Saturday.

But as much as the FA Cup means to Rovers, their bread and butter is in the Dr Martens Western, where they will ultimately be held to account.

Ford added: "The club, the players and the managers are judged on the league."