When the draw was first made and we found out who we would be playing the first thought in most minds was Droyl who? but the fact is that we could already have been playing them this season in the Conference after they narrowly missed out on promotion via the play-offs last season.
At the moment they sit at the top of the Conference North with twenty four points but it's a position they share with three other teams all on the same points. Close Huh!
Dave Pace's side will be without a few key players for the game with Jimmy Williams out suspended. Kevin Lynch got sent off at Harrogate last Saturday but there's no word about which game he will miss yet even though any punishment should come into force seven days after the caution.
Steve Halford, Robbie Talbot and Steve Daly are all out injured. Gareth Morris and Chris Denham have just finished suspensions and are expected to make a return to the starting line-up.
One interesting name in their team is that of stand by keeper Mark Westhead. He once played for us but not very well and, as far as I can remember, I think he only lasted for one game and I can't even remember who it was against and when. I doubt he'll play tomorrow, we can but hope.
We're going to have to accept that there will be a few changes for the game because both Reuben Reid and Paul Bignot are not being allowed to participate in any FA Cup games for us by their parent clubs. Bignot wouldn't be able to play tomorrow anyway due to the third leg of his suspension but he would have been available for any replay.
Our other two loanees, Iyseden Christie and Craig Nelthorpe, will both be allowed to play however so the main change will be alongside Christie. The choice is between Andy White or Luke Reynolds and I think Whitey will get the nod following his excellent goal from the bench at Daggers.
If we can keep up the tempo of our games so far this month then I expect us to be able to finish off Droylsden at the first time of asking. If we give them too much room and too much respect then we'll be looking at a replay up in Manchester. Not a very good option.
Thanks to Carl Flaherty and The Bloodster for their help with the Droylsden team news.
Teams:
Harriers from:
Bevan, S Taylor, Harkness, Haworth, Creighton, Whitehead, McGrath, Sedgemore, Hurren, Russell, Penn, Reynolds, Blackwood, Eaton, McClen, B Taylor, Smikle, Nelthorpe, Christie, White.
Droylsden from:
Phillips, Westhead, Warner, Adams, Tandy, Burke, Gibbins, Ruffer, Robinson, Hall, Morris, Brodie, Fitzpatrick, Lynch, Jagielka, Howard, Rapley, Fearns, Denham, Banim, Wolski.
Links to Droylsden websites 
