It is Basford United up next for Mickleover in the FA Cup second qualifying round at the Don Amott arena on Saturday at 3pm.
Basford also play in the NPL Premier Division and their home ground, Greenwich Avenue, is just a 30-minute drive from Mickleover.
Coincidentally, the last time Basford United made it into this round of the FA Cup was in 2017 when they also played Mickleover.
The winner of the tie is guaranteed to equal their teams best ever run in the FA Cup as neither side has made it further than the third qualifying round before.
Basford United, nicknamed ‘The Lions’, are managed by former Nottingham Forest player Steve Chettle. Chettle made 527 appearances for Forest between 1986 and 1999.
Basford beat Stourbridge 1-0 at home in the previous round, whilst Mickleover beat Leek Town 2-0 away.
The Lions, who are currently eighth in the league, come into this game on a four-game winning streak in all competitions, having not conceded once in that time.
On the contrary, Mickleover have been in bad form as of late and are winless in their last three league games, they most recently drew 0-0 with Nantwich Town in midweek.
The history of this fixture also goes against Mickleover as Basford have won all five meetings between the two teams with an aggregate score of 10-1.
As touched on by manager John McGrath after Tuesday’s stalemate with Nantwich Town, Sports are still without a large chunk of their first team players. On the other hand, Basford United boast a nearly full squad to choose from other than long term absentees Ollie Clarke and Callum Chettle.
The match promises to be a tasty affair with both teams looking to make history. Mickleover will be hoping that a bouncing Don Amott arena will throw form and recent history out the window as they look to finally secure the win over Basford.
Kick-off is at 3pm on Saturday 18th September at the Don Amott Arena.
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