Henderson knows Tavi must be better to have a Cup run

IT is just 68 days since Manchester United beat rivals Manchester City to win the FA Cup, but the road to Wembley starts for 442 football clubs across the country tomorrow, including a number from the area.

- STUART JAMES

Stuart Henderson’s Tavistock face a tricky tie at Western League side Ilfracombe Town, who are a league below Henderson’s Lambs. Last season, Tavi were knocked out of the competition by Barnstaple Town, also of the Western League, and following a midweek 2-1 pre-season friendly defeat at home to Callington Town, Henderson is under no illusions that his team must do better.

“If we play like that, we will be knocked out,” Henderson said after that loss to Callington. “That’s the bottom line and if anyone was watching from Ilfracombe, they will fancy their chances and it is a tough place to go.

“I remember going there in the Western League, it is a tight little ground, the pitch is on a slope and they will be bang up for it. They have played two competitive league games, so they are probably a little further in front of us.

“Clemmo (Ilfracombe boss Clem Bennellick) is a really good guy and done a great job up there over the years and always had a competitive team, so I am under no illusions. It is going to be difficult and if the lads think we can just turn up because we are a Southern League outfit that means nothing in a one-off game. We need to be better.”