Boss Austin relishing underdog tag as Harborough Town go for FA Cup glory at Tonbridge

Mitch Austin's side will go into the game as underdogs against their Vanarama National League South hosts, but the Bees will be determined to create more history.

Town have already excelled as they have reached the first round proper for the first time, and they will now be aiming to progress even further.

But it will be tough as Kent outfit Tonbridge are currently 12th in their league, and have yet to be beaten in any competition on home soil this term.

They did lose on Saturday though, going down 2-1at Truro City with the home side scoring a last-gasp winner in Cornwall.

A crowd of more than 2,500 will be packed into the Angels’ Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium on Saturday, and the home side will go into the match as favourites.

But that is something that suits Bees boss Austin.

“We absolutely love the underdog tag,” said the Harborough manager, who this week celebrated his fourth anniversary in the job. "That is something we thrive off.

"Tonbridge have got to be aware we are there to ruin their day, as we have ruined a few others.

"This is a banana skin for Tonbridge and we will absolutely be up for popping a few balloons.”

Angels boss Jay Saunders is certainly expecting the Bees to put up a stern test for his side.

"There is no hiding from it, this is a massive game for both clubs as it is an opportunity to get into the second round,” he told tonbridgeangels.co.uk.

"I went up and watched them, and they are going to be a really difficult side to play against.

"They have a lot of good players and the manager is doing really well down there, and they have a lot of togetherness. It is certainly not going to be an easy game.

"There is going to be a big crowd for it, we are at home, and we will look forward to it.

"We will prepare the lads and hopefully get through, but Harborough are a good side and it will not be an easy task."

Austin was able to get his hands on the FA Cup trophy on Thursday night, as the silverware was the special guest at a special pre-match evening at the Harborough clubhouse.

Fans were able to go along and get their picture taken with the world famous pot, and now Austin and everybody at the club will be hoping they get another chance ahead of a second round clash next month.

Saturday’s match will be played to a conclusion, with replays having been scrapped from the first round proper and onwards this season.

It means that if Saturday’s match ends level after 90 minutes, there will be a 30-minute extra-time, and it the teams still can’t be separated there will be a penalty shootout.