Barrick looks for a draw

This is Nottingham is reporting that Hucknall Town manager Dean Barrick, who spent a short spell at Edgar Street, admits he would be happy with a draw at Hereford tomorrow.

But Barrick is confident his side are good enough to overcome the Conference high-flyers and book a place in the semi-finals.

"I've seen them once, had them watched and had another report on them," said Barrick, who added that he will probably also speak to Eastwood Town manager Bryan Chambers about tomorrow's opponents.

Hereford needed a replay to see off Eastwood in the last round and Barrick knows the odds are against a Hucknall win.

"We are underdogs, but we've been in this situation already this season and we're still in the competition. They've got pace and quality but they are there to be beaten.

"It doesn't make it any easier that Hereford are at home, but we've got belief and hopefully we will get good support. It's a long trip and we'll appreciate what support we get."

Barrick added: "I would take a draw now. It will give us another pay day and a chance to beat them at our place.

"They are not where they are in the Conference by chance. They are there on merit and a draw would be a good result for us tomorrow.

"If we keep it tight we've got a chance. We've got players who can hurt them - our front four are capable of scoring against any team.

"But we won't play for a draw, we wouldn't know how to."

Barrick knows Hucknall's defence will need to be on their toes to contain Hereford's front-runners. "They've got Lee Mills up front who is very experienced and they've got a lot of pace in their side. One or two of their strikers are like Olympic athletes!

"To get this far in the competition is a big achievement and it shows the club is going in the right direction," he said.

Steve Palmer is Hucknall's only doubt with a calf strain, but Barrick expects him to be fit.

A crowd of more than 2,000 is expected, with about 250 fans travelling from Hucknall. Quarter-final winners will earn £7,000 each.

Hucknall: G Smith, Asher, Barrick, Hunter, Timons, Cooke, M Smith, Rowland, Ricketts, Bacon, Todd, Ward, Winder, Plummer, Palmer, Harding, Khoshimov.

Meanwhile the manager of Eastwood Town, whom Hereford United defeated in the last round after a replay, Bryan Chambers thinks Hucknall Town will beat the Bulls at the first attempt.

"I think Ricketts, Bacon and Todd will be too much for their defence, I don't think Hereford will be able to handle them.

"Hucknall will need to be careful with a flat back four against their strikers because they are lively - and I would be tempted to go with three at the back.

"But Hucknall have got a good chance and I think they can beat them.

"I have heard that Hereford will be without two of the players who played against us. One of the strikers is unavailable and the right-back, who is an excellent player, is injured.

"We put three past Hereford over the two games and defensively they are very poor. They are good going forward, but I think the two sides will be well matched. I wish Hucknall all the best."

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