Burgess expects tough task against Griff (From Dudley News)

Burgess expects tough task against Griff

12:00pm Thursday 6th September 2012 in Football

DUDLEY Town manager Andy Burgess believes his FA Cup heroes face a tough task against Nuneaton Griff this Saturday.

After their heroic win away at Halesowen Town in the last round, the Robins have what is on paper an easier task when they host the Heartlanders in the first qualifying round.

But Burgess is looking for an improvement on last weekend’s performance in the 4-2 defeat to Causeway United where the Dudley boss believes “the Queen and a few women” would have beaten his side.

He said: “Although Halesowen are in a higher division they haven’t played that well this season. We are facing a Nuneaton Griff side who are unbeaten in all competitions.

“On Saturday, everything that could go wrong did go wrong and we need to get that out of our systems. We beat ourselves against Causeway.”

Dudley Town also have a number of injury concerns and the centre of the park is looking particuarly thin, for what Burgess has described as the club’s biggest match in 20 years.

He added: “At the moment we have one recognised central midfielder. Alex Perry, Karl Gardner, Tony Arnold are all missing as well as former Halesowen captain Alex Cowley. It’s a real shame as some of our key players are missing the club’s biggest match in 20 years.

“A lot of our younger players who haven’t played a lot of football will play a part this weekend so hopefully we can step up to the occassion. It’s difficult at this level as some of the players have work commitments which means they can’t play but it’s something we have to deal with.”

Burgess also revealed the signing of Ben Stretton from Causeway was “pretty much a done deal” but he will be ineligible should he sign in time for the weekend cup clash.

Dudley Sports saw their interest in the FA Vase come to an end at the first hurdle, as they were beaten 4-1 at Bloxwich United.

The Hillcrest Avenue side are without a game this Saturday and next host Darlaston on Tuesday evening.

Lye Town fared better in the Vase as they were 3-1 winners at Willenhall Town last Friday. Richard Anslow, Kalum Evitts and Steve Weaver were the scorers. They next host Willenhall in the West Midlands Premier on Tuesday.