The Bulls travel north to Gigg Lane to face FC United of Manchester in the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round.
The two sides have never met before with the fan founded club only coming into existence in 2005 following a breakaway of fans from Man Utd, disillusioned at the state of the game in the Premier League, who opted to form their own club. They progressed quickly, winning two divisions of the North West Counties League successively before a second placed effort saw them reach their current status in the NPL, one step below Conf North, where they have been beaten play-off finalists for the last two seasons.
This season, FC United sit mid-table in the NPL but mostly on the basis that they have played up to four fewer games than their counterparts. They have just nine league matches to their credit due to their FA Cup and Trophy success this term, losing only twice including their last outing at AFC Fylde. Winger Carlos Roca, formerly of Altrincham and Northwich in the Conference, is a threat out wide while former Liverpool trainee Nicky Platt has proved to be a danger from set pieces.
Bulls boss Martin Foyle has specialist knowledge of FC United, having coached Northwich against them during his brief spell with the ailing side at the end of last season. That experience, where his disintegrating side were beaten 5-1, will be coupled with the knowledge gained from Gary Peters' trip to Fylde last weekend. On the pitch, the Bulls are expected to field the same 16 as last weekend with none of the injured players likely to recover for one of the most important games in the Bulls recent history.
FC United of Manchester vs Hereford United, Gigg Lane, Saturday 20th October, 3.00pm.
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