Jonathan Redhead Kirkley & Pakefield take a huge leap into the FA Cup unknown today but joint manager Stewart Larter believes they can be giant killers. The Royals travel to Leicestershire as rank underdogs against Conference North outfit Hinckley United.

Jonathan Redhead

Kirkley & Pakefield take a huge leap into the FA Cup unknown today but joint manager Stewart Larter believes they can be giant killers.

The Royals travel to Leicestershire as rank underdogs against Conference North outfit Hinckley United. Few outsiders give them a chance against the Knitters, who play three leagues higher, but Larter, who took over at boss at Walmer Road this season alongside Jon Reynolds, says anything can happen.

“We've got some information on Hinckley ahead of our FA Cup game. From what I gather they've made some changes this year and had some players who have stepped up two or three leagues, from the standard we are,” former Kirkley player Larter said. “We know a bit about them and we've got some plans for that. But it is a cup game, a one-off, and it's all on the day.

“There's no pressure on us as the underdogs.”

The Royals have already entered the record books, as this is the furthest they have ever been in the competition, and Larter is pinpointing the early stages as crucial to his side's chances of going further.

“I think the first 20 minutes are important,“ he said. “If we can get through that at least level it puts a little bit of doubt in their mind and pressure on them. We'll respect what they've got but we won't change the way we play because that would be alien to us.”