Citizen sports reporter Colin Dyer assesses this weekend's FA Cup chances of both Lancaster and Morecambe with Alan Tinsley and Jim Harvey. THEY may not be the most glamorous ties this year's competition throws up but both Morecambe and Lancaster City are on the Wembley trail in the FA Cup on Saturday. And both are favourites to come through their second qualifying round matches with Morecambe entertaining old rivals Guiseley at Christie Park and Lancaster City stepping into the unknown in the Giant Axe clash against little Blakenhall. The first round proper is the major aim for the Shrimps and Dolly Blues. That's when the likes of Preston North End, Blackpool and Burnley come into the draw.
And although both clubs have set out this season to establish themselves as true title challengers in their respective leagues, a good run in the FA Cup is an ambition for managers Jim Harvey and Alan Tinsley.
Harvey said: "We haven't done particularly well in the cup in the past few seasons and I think a good run can be very important.
"Players love to play and do well in the FA Cup, it can help financially and it is great for the fans and everyone concerned with the club.
"We know that Guiseley will give us a very difficult game but I would really like to do better in the cup than we have done in the past. The players are doing everything right at the moment and there is a lot of confidence at the club."
Lancaster City have reached the fourth and final qualifying round in for the past two years and this season Alan Tinsley wants to go at least one better.
He said: "We have gone very close in the past couple of seasons and just fallen at the final hurdle. This is the biggest of all the cups and I would take a good draw in the first round proper over a good run in any of the others.
"I think we have turned a bit of a corner in the last couple of weeks and we have got a settled and strong side now. I would still love to win the league even if we can't get promotion, and a run in the FA Cup would be great."
Both cup games kick-off at 3pm on Saturday.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article