Maynard Cautions Players: Alfreton a ‘Really Tough’ FA Cup Opponent

Notts County manager Stuart Maynard has cautioned his squad regarding Friday’s FA Cup first-round fixture against nearby non-league club Alfreton Town. Maynard’s team, which has sustained only two defeats this season—the fewest of any League Two side—is encouraged to target a third-round encounter with Premier League adversaries. The Magpies, currently positioned third in League Two, will welcome an opponent that occupies a play-off spot in the National League North. Alfreton Town secured their place in the first round by overcoming Spalding United, Biggleswade Town, and Spennymoor Town. A friendly match between the two clubs in July at Alfreton’s Impact Arena, located 18 miles away, concluded in a 2-2 draw. “Everyone goes on about the underdog – we’ve got to make sure our mentality is right,” Maynard stated to BBC Radio Nottingham. He added, “We know this is going to be a really tough game. We played them in pre-season, so we know a little bit about their players because we’ve come up against them.” Maynard further explained, “We’ve researched them, in the same way we research everyone. I don’t want to give too much away but we’ll pick a team to be as strong as we can.” Notts County, champions of the competition in 1894, are currently experiencing a four-match unbeaten streak in the league, featuring consecutive 1-0 victories against AFC Wimbledon and Harrogate Town. Although Alfreton manager Billy Heath asserts that his team faces no pressure, Maynard considers it “vital” for County to advance past the second round, a feat not achieved since the 2017-18 season. This progression would offer them the opportunity to be drawn against a Premier League club. “It brings a good vibe about the place,” he commented. “It’s the best competition in the world.” He continued, “We want to go as far as we can and we’re really looking forward to it. It’s always exciting when the FA Cup comes around – we all sat and watched the draw together. “This is a competition we really want to go far in. The further you get in it, the bigger the feelgood factor becomes.” Maynard concluded, “The excitement for the likes of us at Notts, to get to that third round and play a Premier League club, is something you’ve got to aim toward.”You need luck and we’ve got to make sure that we come out the other side.”