The day of the first round of the FA Cup is always a little bit special and the clubs from the Premier League and Championship are, I feel, the ones that miss out by not taking part on a day that's unlike any other. There are always one or two tiny clubs who've battled their way through endless qualifying rounds to make it to the first round proper in the hope that they'll be rewarded with a home draw and, perhaps, a crack at a League side. A chance of glory awaits the team that gets it's wish, and a possible nightmare lurks in a dark corner waiting to swallow up any senior team that's not fully on its' mettle in the sort of game clubs from the two lower divisions really would prefer to avoid.

It probably says a lot about where Walsall FC is 'at' at this stage in our history that so much talk and genuine interest and excitement has been generated among fans by a trip to Stourbridge. The Glassboys play in the Zamaretto League Premier Division - the same level as Hednesford Town and Halesowen Town, to give a bit of perspective - and operate four levels below us or, roughly, ninety Pyramid places. On paper it's about as uneven a contest as any in the first round but it's at their place, it's a local derby and their players and fans are sure to get right in the faces of our players. Amblecote is a tight little ground that'll be full to capacity with the huge majority of those present baying for the Saddlers' blood and making the day as uncomfortable as possible. Chuck in what will probably be a typical non-league pitch on a cold day and things may well be much more level than they at first appear.

It is, of course, absolutely right that the game be played at Stourbridge and it would have been a great shame had the club been forced to move it elsewhere for safety reasons. As I understand it this will be the Glassboys' first ever appearance in the first round proper since the clubs' formation in 1876, so how unfair would it have been to take the game away from Amblecote after the club has waited 133 years to stage such a match? Moving the game would have taken away all the romance of the day and would probably have snuffed out any hope of a Stour' victory. If they were playing anyone else we'd all be rooting for them to win and we know that people all around the country will be hoping that the Saddlers fall at the first hurdle, the traditional love of the underdog working against us for once.

For Hutch and the players it's a horrible fixture, and one in which there's no glory to be had. A win over Stourbridge is what we should expect, without wishing them any disrespect, being held to a replay would be embarrassing and defeat, well, it doesn't bear thinking about. If we approach the game in a professional manner and prepare like we would for a 'normal' game then there shouldn't be a problem and a comfortable victory should ensue. However, if one or two of the players don't fancy it or underestimate the opposition then we could come unstuck. If there's any team capable of getting beaten in this fixture then it's the Saddlers.

The match could, of course, be the beginning of a decent cup run for us and presents the chance for the club to counteract the feeling among the fans these days that it doesn't really care about knock-out football. Over the last season-and-a-bit we've been beaten by Darlington, Luton Town and Accrington Stanley, with barely a whimper. Oh, for a run to rival those of 74/5, 83/4 and 86/7, all of which generated huge passion among the fans and interest from the national media. Any reputation the club might have will have been founded largely on our cup exploits of the past - and, of course, the prudent running of the club!..... - so let's have things the way they used to be.

............and remember Slough Town!!