EVESHAM United are ready to make history and reach the FA Cup first round proper for the first time in their history.

The Robins have never been beyond the fourth qualifying round but will be looking to change that against Rushden and Diamonds tomorrow (3pm).

The Blue Square Premier club are the visitors to St George’s Lane as Evesham seek to improve on last year’s efforts, which saw them bow out at the same stage after a 2-1 replay defeat at Halifax Town.

Paul West’s side are in a fine run of form in the cup, following victories over Leamington, Nuneaton and Chasetown, and have gone four games unbeaten in the British Gas Business Premier Division. They defeated Clevedon 4-0 in the FA Trophy last weekend.

Rushden, in contrast, have lost their last two league matches and occupy 12th place in the table with 22 points.

“It’s a massive game,” West said. “We were in this position last year and the year before we got relatively close with AFC Wimbledon away. We have kept a lot of the players so we really want to go that one step further.

“We are not here for the accolade of getting to this stage of the competition as we have an opportunity to try and get that little bit further.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for my players to grasp the moment — that’s the bottom line. There’s no pressure on us, the pressure is on Rushden and Diamonds, nobody will be surprised if they win. We will do our homework and go into it with a game-plan.”

West continued: “Learning from last year when we finished 0-0 against Halifax, we have got to try to score and be positive. We can’t try to soak up pressure because they will have quality all over the park.

“My offensive players, Mark Owen, Gary Hay and Danny Lennon, are in form and hopefully will have a big part to play.”

Evesham also reached the final qualifying round in 1995, when they were beaten 6-1 at Nuneaton Borough, and chairman Jim Cockerton is hoping it will be third time lucky.

He said: “Since I have been involved, this is the third time we have had a chance to get to the first round proper. It would be just reward for all the hard work.”

Evesham have no injury worries but are without skipper Steve Lutz as the midfielder serves the second of a three-match ban for a red card.

West added: “It’s a blow but an opportunity for somebody else to get a chance in our biggest game of the season.”