Express & Star

Tom Tonks calls on fans to roar Stourbridge FC to FA Cup glory

Stourbridge midfielder Tom Tonks is counting on a big home support to spur the side on for tonight's FA Cup second round clash with Northampton Town.

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A sell-out attendance is expected at the War Memorial Ground for the visit of the League One Cobblers, who are the huge favourites and four divisions above the Glassboys.

Stour have beaten five sides to make it through to this stage of the competition, including Whitehawk via a 3-0 replay win at home in the last round.

"It's a great place to be when it is a full house," said Tonks. "Against Whitehawk, there was nearly 2,000 fans and it was one of the best atmospheres, if not the best, I have ever played in.

"To come away with a win, it was a great night.

"I am sure there will be close to 2,500 there for this one and hopefully they can be the 12th man because when they get behind us it helps – and that is the case at any level of football.

"We played Workington the other week in the league, we were 5-0 up and the place was absolutely buzzing.

"There is a good vibe around the club and that is helped by winning games."

Going into the match, Gary Hackett's men are fresh off a 2-0 win at Ashton United in the Evo-Stik Premier while Northampton beat Port Vale 3-2 at the weekend.

"Credit to the lads, we turned up there on Saturday and we did a job. It was a professional performance and we were excellent," said Tonks.

"Some managers may have rested a few but we were at full-strength and we are raring to go now.

"We have a good winning mentality at the moment. We are unbeaten in nine games now and have won six or seven of those.

"It's a good place to be at the minute."

Northampton currently sit 13th in League One and have the likes of former West Ham and Burnley midfielder Matty Taylor in their ranks.

Tonks is wary of the threat they pose, but believes Stour will put up a strong fight.

"It is going to be really tough against Northampton. They are expected to turn up and roll us over quite easily but that is not going to happen," said Tonks.

"We are aware of their quality. They have the likes of Matty Taylor, Alex Revell – they have scored goals at a very good level.

"We know how tough it is going to be but we will give it a good go.

"We are massive underdogs but we are preparing well and winning games.

"I think they have only won one in seven so if we get an early goal they might feel a little bit of pressure.

"Hopefully we can hold out and take our chances."

He added: "We have lads who can score goals and we can keep clean sheets as well. Who knows? Football is a funny old game and

anything can happen."

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