Goal-happy Handworth Parramore follow their FA Cup dream

The Ambers know they are just two games away from a possible dream draw with a league side against the likes of Sheffield United, Bolton Wanderers or Portsmouth.

But it’s Lincoln first and manager Mick Godber said: “Everyone is excited and looking forward it. Its the furthest we’ve been in the competition, its helped raise the club’s profile and the further you go the finances also become all the more rewarding which is great for the club.”

Godber believes his team are capable or reaching the next round but says they’ll go into the tie as underdogs: “Lincoln will start favourites, they’re at home and are in a league above us.

“Its nice that we’ll be able to go to a place and play our football without the pressure of being favourites to win.

“Its a good draw for us when your consider the other teams we could have drawn.

“We’ll certainly go there and have a real go, it would be nice to be in the hat for Mondays draw and keep the excitement going.”

Handsworth certainly carry a real goal threat having already hit 58 in15 matches in all competitions this season. “We’ve had 16 different scorers,” said Godber, “Its good when you’re not relying on just a couple of players for your goals. Alex Rippon, Simon Harrsion and Tom Dugdale have all chipped in with a few but we’ve got goals in us all over the pitch.

“The way we play we will always create chances but the trouble is the higher you go the less chances you get. So we’ll have to make sure we are clinical and take the chances that do come our way against Lincoln.”

The NCEL Premier Division championship remains Handsworth’s ultimate aim and bringing Evo-Stik League football to the club. “We want to win it (championship), “ said the Ambers boss. We’re one of the favourites but there are four of five teams that could win it. We’ve got a decent squad and a good youth set-up so everything is right at the club. We’ll just keep on trying to win as many games as we can.”

Lincoln won 2-1 at Conference North Nuneaton Town in the last round. They are 10th in their division and go into the tie having won the last five in league and cup. Handsworth though boast an impressive 100% away record from six matches.

* Hallam and Penistone Church fought out on enthralling 3-3 draw at Sandygate in midweek, a result that saw Penistone go top of Division One on goal-differenceas the Countrymen climbed to fourth.

Ryan Hindley’s side went into the game knowing victory would have put them level on points with the then leaders Winterton Rangers.

Hallam were in front on five minutes. James Reed playing in a lovely pass for Jake Currie to score. Church levelled with what was a sloppy goal from the home sides point of view. Tim Whittaker’s weak back header allowed Dale Kelly to nip in and score. Penistone turned it around on the stroke of half-time when Kelly headed back across goal for Daniel Joynes to tuck away .

Hallam had the chance to equalise on the hour when they were awarded a penalty but Currie failed to convert. However, the striker made amends four minutes later with a superb cross for Christian Savage to score with a towering header.

Penistone regained the lead on 75 minutes. Jack Moore slotting home at the far post after a free-kick had come back off the bar. Hallam were behind for just two minutes when from Jack Hargreaves free-kick Tom Roebuck ghosted in at the far post to hook the ball home.

AFC Emley stretched their unbeaten run to six games after two late goals saw them come from behind to beat second-placed Wintereton Rangers 2-1 on their own-patch.

In the Premier Division, Maltby Main’s Steve Hopwell hit a late goal to rescue a point in a 1-1 draw thus denying neighbours Armthorpe Welfare a first win of the season after Craig Aspinall had given the visitors the lead.

Parkgate stay second from bottom after their ninth defeat in 10 games, a 3-0 reversal at third-placed Albion Sports.

Athersley Recreation went down 3-2 at home against Rainworth MW despite a late fightback that saw Tom Almond and Kai Hancock pull two back inside the last nine minutes.

Two penalties condemned Retford United to a fourth straight home defeat as Thackley left with the spoils from a 2-0 victory.

* Saturday fixtures -

FA Cup Third Round Qualifying: AFC Mansfield v Stamford, Lincoln United v Handsworth Parramore.

Derbyshire Senior Cup First Round: Mickleover RBL v Dronfield Town.

Premier Division: Bridlington Town v Armthorpe Welfare, Hemsworth MW v Retford United, Parkgate v Liversedge, Pickering Town v Maltby Main, Rainworth MW v Staveley MW, Worksop Town v Athersley Recreation.

Division One: Campion v AFC Emley, Rossington Main v Penistone Church, Shirebrook Town v Hallam, Worsbrough Bridge Athletic v Westella & Willerby.