Stourbridge have enjoyed some wonderful moments in the F A Cup over the last ten years, where they have been the underdogs on several occasions against higher ranked opposition, but Saturday's first Qualifying Round tie at Highgate represents a potential banana skin for the Glassboys as they take on a highly regarded side from the MFL Premier Division - two levels below Stourbridge - who will be out to cause an upset.

GROUND ADDRESS - The Coppice, Tythe Barn Lane, Shirley B90 1PH

Admission prices are:
ADULTS - £7

CONCESSIONS - £3
(Senior Citizens Over 60, 16-17 year olds, Students in full time education with NUS Card)

CHILDREN U16 - £1

Children under 16 will be admitted free with a PAYING ADULT.

TRAVEL BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT

The ground lies close to the Whitlocks End railway station, which is about 5 minutes walk from the ground.

There are three direct trains an hour from Stourbridge Junction via Birmingham Snow Hill to Whitlocks End in the day-time and the journey time is around 50/55 minutes.

Trains depart from Stourbridge Junction at 12.37 pm, 12.57 pm, 13.18 pm and 13.37 pm.

Return times from Whitlocks End are 17.00 pm, 17.19 pm and 18.00 pm.

An adult Network West Midlands Daytripper costs £6.70.

On exiting the railway station car park, turn right on Tilehouse Lane and then turn first left into Tythe Barn Lane. Head past the Leafield Athletic ground on your left and the Wychall Wanderers Juniors entrance on your right and the entrance to the car park area at Highgate will be next on your right. Walk in here and the ground is set further back beyond the car park and clubhouse.

PREVIEW

Highgate returned to step 5 of the non-league pyramid after winning the Midland Football League title in 2014/15. They just missed out on promotion to step 4 at the end of last season when they finished 3rd in the Premier Division behind Bromsgrove Sporting and Coleshill Town who are both now in the Evo-stik League South Division 1 Central.

To reach this stage of the competition, Highgate have already won two home ties. 'Gate defeated AFC Wulfrunians in the Extra Preliminary Round 1 - 0 and then won 3 - 0 against Hinckley based outfit Leicester Road.

Stourbridge lost on their last visit to Highgate in the F A Cup, which was for a 1st Qualifying Round tie back in 1978/79. Highgate won 2 - 1 on that occasion, but the Glassboys have fared better more recently in two F A competition meetings.

Back in 2004/05 Stourbridge hosted Highgate in the F A Vase 2nd Round Proper and triumphed 5 - 0. Scott Gennard grabbed a hat-trick with Matt Southwick and Sam Rock the other goalscorers. This was the season that Gary Hackett's men reached the quarter-finals before being beaten after extra-time at AFC Sudbury.

In 2007/08 Highgate visited the War Memorial Athletic Ground for an F A Cup Preliminary Round tie and again Stourbridge came out on top. The Glassboys won 2 - 1 thanks to first-half goals from Mark Bellingham and Andy Wells. Kieran Rowbottom pulled a goal back eight minutes from time. Leon Broadhurst was in the Stour starting line-up that afternoon.

Stourbridge add Callum Powell and Niall Maher to the squad that won at King's Lynn Town last Saturday.

Highgate include ex-Glassboy Sam Tye in their playing ranks, plus midfield stalwart Richard Batchelor who was briefly a part of our squad last season, whilst longer serving fans will remember Nathan Pulisciano as a youngster back in our early days in the Midland Alliance.

The hosts will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing week that has seen them defeated twice at the Coppice. Last Saturday AFC Wulfrunians gained revenge for their F A Cup loss by winning 3 - 0 in the league and then on Wednesday night 'Gate went down 2 - 0 to Walsall Wood. These results have meant that they have slipped back to 7th in the league table with 12 points from 8 games.

The host club wear red so Stourbridge will wear their new change yellow and blue colours at The Coppice for the first time.