By Martin Walker
Allan Oliver is hoping Newton Aycliffe’s Road to Wembley bandwagon starts with a bang this weekend.
The Newtonians entertain Holker Old Boys from the North-West Counties League in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup with Budweiser on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
After last year’s disappointment, when Aycliffe were thumped 7-1 at home by Billingham Synthonia following a media fanfair, Oliver is desperate to make amends this year and enjoy a decent run in the famous competition.
In a Video Interview with Aycliffe Today, he said: “Teams up and down the country and recognised sometimes by their football team, and that happens when they have a bit of cup run.
“We’d love a run, but we’ll be treating a bit differently than we did last year. We maybe took things for granted because we were at home.
“We’ll treat Holker with respect, but we’ll have a proper go at them, and it’ll be a different result this time.”
Oliver is pleased with the shape of his players after the club’s new general manager, ex-Hartlepool United fitness coach Dan Lewis, has been putting his troops through their paces during pre-season.
The boss added: “Most of the players will tell you they’ve never felt better, I think Dan has made a monumental difference with them.
“He’s worked their socks off, he makes them work really hard and disguises it a bit! But the players have taken it on board, we’ve had some good sessions and it’s made a great difference.”
Go to our Video Vault to see Oliver’s interview in full.
● Aycliffe’s game at home to Holker Old Boys this Saturday kicks off at 3pm, with admission £5 adults and £3 concessions (Over-65s and Under-16s).