An FA Cup with a difference but AFC Fylde boss Jim Bentley can't wait for Exeter test

Bentley’s Coasters make the long trip south to Devon to face Exeter City in the first round (1pm kick-off), their reward for winning through three qualifying rounds last month.

Last season the Coasters made a historic run to the third round and visited Premier League high-flyers Sheffield United.

That is all the motivation Bentley needs going into the game against League Two’s fourth-placed club.

He said: “They’ve changed the prize money around a little bit this season and we’ve had to come through the three qualifying rounds, so it’s been a little different to what I’ve had in the past.

“You’ve got to beat what’s in front of you. We’ve done well so far and there are the financial implications of doing well in the FA Cup.

“It’s a great competition to do well in. We’ve seen that last year first hand, when the club went into the third round proper for the first time.

“We played Premier League opposition and it was a great day for everyone associated with the club – the chairman, the directors, the fanbase and the local community to go and sample a Premier League team in their own ground. And they were a team that were doing well at the time.

“It made history and it was great for us, as were the finances that went with it.

“Once you get a taste like that and you love the FA Cup like I do, and the players and staff do, we want to do as well as we can. We want to do as well as we can in all competitions.

“We’re all looking and striving to get on a cup run again but we’ve got a big tie away at Exeter. They’re a good Exeter side too – they’re unbeaten in 10.

“It will be a big ask for us but why not? There will certainly be upsets up and down the country, so why can’t we be one of them?”

The Coasters dropped their first points of their National League North campaign in the week, drawing 1-1 at Alfreton Town, though the point took Bentley’s men to the top of the table and confidence is flowing within the camp.

There are no new injury concerns for the 44-year-old, who says he squad is “chomping at the bit”.

Exeter recently faced Bentley’s former club Morecambe and the Fylde boss has used knowledge from the Shrimps to help prepare his players for what will undoubtedly be a tough test.

Bentley says his side will have total respect for the high-flying Grecians.

“It’s not by fluke that they’re on an unbeaten run,” he said.

“They’re a good side, they’re one of the favourites for the division and they’re doing well.

“We’re under no illusions – it’s going to be a tough game. It’s always a tough game down at Exeter but even more so when they’re in form.

“We go down there with the belief that we can beat anyone. From day one we’ve said we want to beat anyone we come up against.

“We went to Sheffield United last season and nearly pulled it off.

“Exeter is going to be the same. We’ll go there prepared and we’ll know what we’re coming up against.

“We’ll look forward to the challenge that lies ahead and hopefully get something from the game and go into the hat for the next round.”

Tomorrow’s scheduled National League North match at Leamington Spa has been rearranged for Tuesday, November 24.

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