• FA Cup second round

Home tie against Everton the reward for winners

ESPN staff
December 3, 2012


Once again, ESPN will be showing live games from the FA Cup all season. For scheduling information and details on how to subscribe, click here.

Non-league Hereford travel to Cheltenham on Monday, with a third-round clash against Premier League side Everton up for grabs. League Two outfit Cheltenham will be wary of a poor record against the Bulls, who they have not beaten since February 1999.

Cheltenham Town v Hereford United - Live on ESPN

Route to round two:
Cheltenham Town 3-0 Yate Town
Hereford United 3-1 Shrewsbury Town

Background:
Cheltenham have a long history dating back to 1887, but they have only progressed as high as the third tier of the game. They are currently well placed to mount a promotion push to equal that feat. Hereford fell out of the Football League last season and are in real financial strife, meaning the television money from the live ESPN game has provided a real shot in the arm for the Bulls.

Player to watch:
Billy Jones (Cheltenham): Jones is something of a set-piece specialist, he has nine assists under his belt this term, and he will be a threat to Hereford if he gets his delivery right.

Sam Clucas (Hereford): Clucas has been an ever present for Hereford this season, with manager Martin Foyle deploying him in a left wing role. His tricky feet could well play a key role on Monday.

Current manager:
Mark Yates (Cheltenham): Yates had extended spells as a player with Kidderminster and Cheltenham, making over 200 appearances for both, and they are the two clubs he has managed. He has been in charge at Whaddon Road since 2009.

Martin Foyle (Hereford): Made his name during a long playing spell at Port Vale where he bagged over 100 goals. He went on to manage Port Vale and has been in charge of Hereford since the summer.

Quotes:
Mark Yates has insisted his side will not take Hereford for granted. He said: "We know the record they have against us, even since I've been here I don't think we've been able to beat them. They've got some good players, they've been on a good run. Martin's done a really good job there in what sounds like really difficult circumstances. They'll be as clued up as any other team will be, as switched on as any other team would be against us. They'll be well supported and we've got to match that and their support from the terraces, for the fans to get behind the players and look forward to what will be a decent game of football."

Brian Smikle will pull on the Hereford shirt against his former club and he is looking forward to the challenge. He said: "It was a strange feeling when the draw came out because we had a fairly local derby match against Shrewsbury and I didn't think for a minute we'd have another one in the second round. It's a very good draw and everyone knows Hereford have a good record against Cheltenham, so we want to keep that going. I loved my time there and I am still in touch with a lot of the lads."

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