Evans expects tough test

Romulus manager Richard Evans is expecting a tough FA Cup test tomorrow, despite facing lower league Westfields in the competition's Preliminary Round, writes Andy Mitchell.

The Herefordshire based Midland Alliance club finished runners-up in a division immediately below the Evo-Stik NPL First Division South, and while confident, Evans anticipates a difficult afternoon at Allpay Park.

Evans said: "Westfields are a well run club and we know everyone there quite well. We’ve had them watched a couple of times and it will be a hard game.

"Whoever you play in the FA Cup, it is always difficult – everyone wants to win that little bit more and that mentality gives that little bit of an edge."

The Roms welcome four of their squad back for the Cup curtain-raiser after some familiar faces missed the midweek defeat to Coalville.

Rob Evans and Nathan Walker have recovered from knocks while Sean Robinson is back following illness and Paul Devlin could feature.

Romulus suffered a 3-1 defeat to the Ravens on Tuesday after having had two players sent off, but Evans was still impressed by his squad’s display in Leicestershire and against Leek last Saturday.

"Generally in both of our opening games there have been some really good performances – it is amazing how fit we look this season and how we’re getting around the pitch. Everyone is really positive."

On the red cards, Evans added: "I didn’t see the first incident involving Nathan Jackson, it was off the ball and I was following the game so I can’t comment.

"Richard Munday was a little bit unlucky as they were his only two fouls of the night, but they were both bookings – the referee had a good game to be fair. It was a really fast game and both sides enjoyed a tough encounter."

The Roms boss also confirmed that Todd Evans will join Under-21 player Sean Ellis in getting first team football at Midland Alliance club Highgate United. He also revealed that Joe Price has dislocated his shoulder on his debut for Heather St Johns last week.