Aiden O’Neill says that Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup tie with Hereford FC is one his team are not taking lightly.
Fleetwood welcome EvoStik South Premier side Hereford FC to Highbury Stadium for the first ever meeting between the two sides.
Hereford FC – who are a phoenix club created after Hereford United were wound up in December 2014 – have played five games to get to the Second Round and will be backed by over a thousand fans on Saturday.
O’Neill knows that – like it was in the last round against non-league Chorley – it will be a tough test on Saturday.
“All of the lads are looking forward to it,” said O’Neill.
“We have been working hard this week; but know it’s not going to be easy as we found out in the First Round against Chorley. It will be a similar test for us as Hereford will be physical.
“Last time the ball was bobbling as we tried to play our football, however this time we will be on a better pitch, which will definitely help us play exciting football.”
Town have kept three consecutive clean sheets at home with the latest being the goalless draw against local rivals Blackpool, but the Australian midfielder knows that the team need to get it right at the other end too.
“We need to find the right balance,” added the 19-year-old.
“We need keep getting those clean sheets and start scoring goals at the other end, but I do feel that it’s coming.
“The players can’t and won’t take this game lightly.”
The midfielder made an appearance in the Emirates FA Cup last season for his parent club Burnley, and has enjoyed watching the famous competition back in his home country as a young boy.
“I’ve always watched the FA Cup back home as it was on television. It was on quite late which my mum and dad didn’t like, but it is massive and I am just excited to be involved in it.
“The players were talking this morning about Ronnie Radford who scored against Newcastle for Hereford, and one of the staff told us all that this is a very big game for them.
“Everybody wants to play the big teams in the next round, and that is a massive incentive for the lads.”