Reece Barrett
Salisbury FC finish back-to-back away journeys with a 414-mile round trip to Mousehole AFC, as FA Cup magic hits the fishing village tomorrow when the Second Qualifying Round commences.
Mousehole host a Salisbury side in spectacular form – they are yet to lose in nine matches and have won six of these fixtures.
Salisbury may have the apparent advantage as Mousehole play one division below the Whites, competing in the Southern League Division One South after being promoted as champions last season.
But manager Brian Dutton was adamant that his side would not underestimate Mousehole, saying in an interview with Salisbury Radio: “It’s a game that, to a casual, Salisbury would be the favourites.
“But if you put everything in context, I think it’s going to be a real cointoss of a match. If the boys can get something from this match, I’ll be coming away super impressed with the mental fortitude.”
Mousehole are top of their division and are also unbeaten, but they have only played five league games so far, most recently beating Bristol Manor Farm in a seven-goal thriller to win 4-3.
They were promoted to Step 4 of the football pyramid for the first time ever last season, becoming only the second Cornish club to ever do so (alongside Truro City).
They have played two games in the FA Cup to get to this stage – they first thumped St Bazley 5-1 away and then beat Matt Tubbs’ Bashley 5-3.
For Salisbury, this fixture concludes a gruelling week in which they have beaten promotion favourites Walton & Hersham 1-0 and Tiverton Town 3-1.
READ: Tivvy Coppin a beating at the hands of the Whites
The match presents a good opportunity for new signing Josh Squires to potentially make his first start – the Scottish under-18s international joined on a one-month work experience loan from Southampton this week and made a quick cameo in stoppage time against Tiverton.
Andy Munns
